The potential for sustainable solar farming in North Savo (KAURIS) -Development project

The aim of the project is to investigate the possibilities of combining solar power production and agricultural activities (co-production) in Northern Savonia. Renewable energy projects are facing increasing opposition at the same time as competition for project locations is intensifying. Agricultural activities are struggling with profitability issues, making new sources of income important for agricultural entrepreneurs. Decentralized solar power production can offer agricultural entrepreneurs new sources of income without major changes to their original agricultural activities. There is little information available on the shared use of agricultural areas in Finland and in northern latitudes in general, which is why there is a need for more information.

The development project involves the installation of solar energy systems purchased as part of a separate investment project at a test site to be established on YSAO's Hingunniemi farm. The aim of the trial is to examine the opportunities and challenges of shared use areas from the perspectives of both agricultural activities and energy production.

The project will also map the overall potential of solar power production in agricultural areas, the potential for cogeneration, and the connectivity of solar power production to the existing electricity transmission infrastructure. In addition, preliminary studies will be carried out on the possibilities of using energy islands in rural areas, particularly from the point of view of security of supply, as well as on the administrative delays and obstacles associated with cogeneration. The project will involve active dialogue between agricultural entrepreneurs, MTK Pohjois-Savo, and energy sector operators.

The result is a comprehensive overview of the solar power production potential of the agricultural areas of North Savo, the costs and revenues associated with cogeneration, suitable locations from the perspective of the electricity grid, obstacles and barriers to cogeneration, and the potential for energy island use from the perspective of security of supply.

Project manager