GGGI Rwanda Program Explores Agrivoltaics for Triple Benefit in Water-Energy-Food Nexus
By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU
During a session which is part of the Global Green Growth Week 2024, on Tuesday, 15th October, 2024, Brigitte Nyirambangutse, a Senior Officer in charge of forestry and landscape at GGGI Rwanda Program, presented an insightful presentation on the prospects of agrivoltaics in Rwanda for triple benefit within the Water-Energy-Food Nexus.
Nyirambangutse highlighted the potential of agrivoltaics in drought-prone areas in the eastern province of Rwanda, where there is low productivity due to less rainfall and solar radiation.
She said that the preliminary study conducted by GGGI Rwanda Program identified suitable sites for agrivoltaics and tested crops such as French beans with positive results under the scenario of climate change.
“We need to understand the economic and climate-resilient benefits of this technology,” Nyirambangutse emphasized. “We also need to look at water and energy savings, dual land use benefits, local food energy security, and market profitability.”
However, Nyirambangutse also pointed out some concerns related to agrivoltaics, such as the lack of technical help for infrastructure management and monitoring, high initial capital costs, and the need for a cost-benefit analysis.
She stressed the importance of conducting further studies and implementing pilot projects to gather evidence based on local conditions.
As she concludes her presentation, Nyirambangutse highlighted the potential of agrivoltaics to not only increase agricultural productivity but also contribute to energy production and food security in Rwanda.
She called for collaboration between government, private sector, and research institutions to explore the full potential of this innovative technology.