Chief Executive, SMEFUNDS, Femi Oye has said the widespread adoption of solar energy could enable the nation to achieve an annual food production of 1 trillion tons in response to the growing population. His comments follow a report indicating that off-grid solar solutions represent the most economical means to provide energy access to 41 per cent of the global population by 2030.
Oye highlighted the challenges faced by numerous farmers who struggle to power their operations, which hampers both productivity and economic development. He is confident that solar energy can be instrumental in revitalizing these off-grid regions. Furthermore, he pointed out that the solar sector accounted for 55 per cent of new energy connections in sub-Saharan Africa from 2020 to 2022.
The Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report (MTR) 2024, published by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) in collaboration with GOGLA, indicated that a sixfold increase in current investment levels—amounting to $21 billion—is essential to harness the full potential of off-grid solar in achieving universal energy access.
Failure to secure this investment, the report noted, could result in a significant missed opportunity. If the current trend continues, it is estimated that 660 million individuals will remain without electricity by the year 2030. Consequently, the World Bank Group has joined forces with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide electricity to 300 million people across Africa within the next six years through the Mission 300 initiative.
Off-grid solar is expected to be pivotal in delivering electricity to households and enhancing access for businesses, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities, thereby fostering development across various sectors.
He stated that Nigeria possesses the local capacity to assist AfDB and other entities in implementing off-grid solar solutions, which could benefit thousands of farmers facing rising inflation and significant currency devaluation. He highlighted initiatives such as the World Bank’s Mission 300 and the AfDB’s efforts to electrify 10 million farming households across Africa, thereby supporting local food processing.
He urged the Federal Government to collaborate with investors and development partners to harness the potential of off-grid solar energy, aiming to create a transformative effect on farming households, small businesses, and food production. Meanwhile, a recent study from the University of Sheffield in the UK has demonstrated that the integration of solar panels with agricultural practices can significantly enhance crop production while simultaneously conserving water and generating renewable energy for regions at risk from climate change.
The research, spearheaded by the University of Sheffield, highlights the concept of ‘agrivoltaics’—the dual use of land for both agriculture and solar energy generation—which results in improved crop yields with reduced water usage compared to traditional open-field farming. The international research team, which included collaborators from the University of Arizona and the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), discovered that specific crops, including maize, Swiss chard, and beans, flourished under the partial shade of solar panels. This shading effect not only mitigated water loss through evaporation but also allowed for the utilization of rainwater collected from the panels to meet irrigation requirements. Professor Sue Hartley, the senior author of the study and Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield’s School of Biosciences, remarked: “Envision a future where farms are powered by clean energy and crops exhibit greater resilience to climate change.”
She emphasized that agrivoltaics could transform this vision into reality by addressing critical issues such as food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy demands.
