Dual benefits from Agrisolar

Grand opening of The Agriculture Cultivation in combination with Solar Energy Model in An Giang, Vietnam.

On 16^th April, Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID) and Climate Sense Co., Ltd associating with the Project Management Unit for sustainable energy development (An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) celebrated the grand opening of the Agriculture Cultivation in combination with Solar Energy Model in An Hoa hamlet, Chau Lang commune, Tri Ton Dist., An Giang Province.

The ceremony was attended by the Department of Agriculture of An Giang and Hau Giang provinces, government representatives, the agricultural division of Chau Lang commune, Tri Ton district, representatives of communes in Tinh Bien and Tri Ton district, and a large number of people in An Hoa hamlet who paid attention to the Agriculture Cultivation in combination with Solar Energy Model in An Giang, Vietnam.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony of dual-use model

The model is designed as the solar power rooftop standard which is installed in the construction, the planting house is built as EVN’s standard with the capacity of 45kwp in 400 meters square and the planting land below. The solar panels are designed with a suitable distance between the plants and ensure the growth of the plants.

“The Agriculture Cultivation in combination with Solar Energy Model at An Hoa hamlet, Chau Lang commune is the correct model, both in terms of the approach and the land of implementation. This model has proved the dual benefits of combining agriculture production with solar energy. The dual benefits are the people can produce agriculture on difficult land, while combining with the solar power commercial and bring in more commercial benefit to the farmers. From the solar power advantage and the given result, I hope the agriculture of An Giang and Mekong River Delta area will have an effective model which helps the farmer with the current situation of climate change”, said Mr. Truong Tan Tho, Vice President of An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mr. Truong Tan Tho, Vice President of An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

“This is the model that GreenID has wanted to do in the context of ’solar power boom’ in the world, and Vietnam with the land conflict and difficulty for the government and the farmers in stabilizing and securing enough land fund for electricity production and agricultural cultivation. With the Agriculture Cultivation in combination with Solar Energy Model, the investors and the farmers also can join the journey of just transition and sustainable power development. The model is the proof of combining clean electricity production and improving the farmer’s livelihoods and contribute to new rural development”, said Mrs. Nguy Thi Khanh, Head of GreenID.

Ms. Khanh visits cucumber garden under the solar energy system

Besides, Mr. Chau Hon – the owner using the model said: “Thank you all to the centers, the companies for helping my family build this model. Thank you GreenID for introducing the Climate Consciousness Limited Liability Company to invest into solar energy, especially the local agriculture officers who instructing my family on planting techniques, watering systems for high productivity ”.

Mr. Chau Hon speak at the ceremony

Mr. Koss Neefijes – Head of Climate Sense Compay said: “This is the first model so the investment cost is still high, we have learned experience to decrease it for the next systems. We’re very glad to share the experience and hope the investors will come to the farmers to develop the model and bring more and more benefits to them”.

Mr. Koss Neefijes – Head of CS Compay

The project officers said they will continue to combine with the institute to count the growth of a variety of plants in the solar board. Then, analyzing the technical and financial options to combine solar power with growing vegetables, animal husbandry, and aquaculture. The results will be documented to share with the stakeholders and used to accelerate the development policy issuance process.