Vertical agrivoltaic systems eliminate the false choice between energy security and food security. The same land produces renewable energy and agricultural crops simultaneously — maintaining 80–90% of traditional yields with full machinery access.
Traditional solar creates an unnecessary conflict between energy security and food security. Tilted Bifacial PV (TBPV) — the current UK industry standard, using bifacial panels on conventional south-facing tilted mounts; supersedes Tilted Monofacial PV (TMPV), which remains the reference system in cited academic studies — occupies agricultural land completely, removing it from food production for 25–30 years.
This is the central objection raised by communities, local authorities, and MPs across the UK's solar planning pipeline. It is also unnecessary.
The UK does not need to choose between feeding its people and powering its economy. VBPV systems deliver both — on the same land, simultaneously, at lower total system cost.
The key design parameter is row spacing. VBPV systems are installed with 10–12m between panel rows — wide enough for standard agricultural machinery including combine harvesters, tractors with wide implements, and sprayers.
The vertical panels sit on ~100mm posts with a 0.45m clearance strip each side — approximately 1m per row lost out of 12m spacing, leaving ~92% of inter-row land in full production. Between rows, farming continues exactly as before.
Crops grow in the same field. The farmer retains their income. The solar developer generates clean energy. Both happen on the same land, at the same time.
| Factor | Vertical Bifacial (VBPV) | Conventional Tilted (TBPV) |
|---|---|---|
| Crop Productivity | 80–90% of full productivity maintained ✓ DUAL USE | 0% — land fully removed from agriculture |
| Machinery Access | Full access — 10–12m row spacing for standard equipment | Impossible — racking structures block all access |
| Ground Coverage | ~8% per row (0.45m clearance each side + ~100mm post, on 12m spacing) | 40–50% blocked by panel racking |
| Livestock Grazing | Compatible — sheep and cattle can graze freely | Limited or impossible with conventional layouts |
| Farmer Income | Dual income: crops + energy lease/revenue | Energy lease only — crop income lost |
| Soil Health | Maintained through continued cultivation | Degrades under reduced management intensity |
| Planning Acceptability | Addresses food security objection directly | Frequently refused on agricultural land grounds |
| Biodiversity Strips & BNG | ~1m wildflower strip beneath each row — supports pollinators (bees, butterflies, hoverflies) and aphid-eating natural enemies (ladybirds, parasitoids); delivers mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain on-site BNG COMPLIANT | No undisturbed ground possible beneath racking; BNG harder to deliver on-site |
The conventional solar proposition asks farmers to surrender their land — and their agricultural identity — for an energy lease. This is why many farming families strongly oppose TBPV development on their land and in their communities.
VBPV changes the proposition entirely. The farmer retains their crops. Their land remains in agricultural use. Their children can inherit a working farm. And the energy income supplements — rather than replaces — the agricultural income they have built over generations.
For a 100-hectare arable farm, VBPV could generate an additional £150,000–£250,000 per year in energy income whilst maintaining the full crop revenue stream.
The campaign is built on the conviction — rooted in 25+ years of agricultural engineering experience — that the farming community will embrace agrivoltaics once they understand that VBPV preserves what they value most: their land, their crops, and their way of life.
Cereals, oilseeds, and root crops can be grown and harvested with standard machinery between VBPV rows. Row spacing is designed specifically for UK combine harvester widths.
Sheep and cattle can graze freely between and around VBPV installations. The panels provide natural shade and shelter, which can improve animal welfare metrics.
Many horticultural crops benefit from partial shading in summer conditions, potentially improving yield quality. Research into optimal crop-panel combinations is ongoing.