This study, carried out by BIGD in collaboration with Technaf Solartech Energy Limited (TSEL), aims to explore the potential of agrivoltaics, aiming to contribute to sustainable development and food security in the region.
Researchers: Munshi Sulaiman; Proloy Barua; Khadija Akter Sonia; Prataoy Kabya Bhowmik
Partner: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Timeline: 2025-2026
Status: Ongoing
Contact: Proloy Barua; proloy.barua@bracu.ac.bd
Context
Joules Power Limited (JPL), a leading energy firm in Bangladesh, successfully established Technaf Solartech Energy Limited (TSEL), the country’s first solar independent power project (IPP), in 2018. While TSEL has effectively utilised 116 acres of land for solar energy production, this project explores the potential for optimising land use through agrivoltaics practices. Agrivoltaics is the deliberate integration of solar energy production with a semi-scavenging poultry farming system on the same land, with the goal of achieving multiple benefits, including optimized land use, improved microclimates, soil enhancement, and potential economic advantages. In this case, semi-scavenging poultry will be reared under solar panels— synergistic co-location of agricultural activities (specifically poultry farming) and solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation on the same land area.
Objective
This pilot project aims to optimise land use at the TSEL solar park by implementing a phased approach, beginning with ‘poultry photovoltaics’ to enhance soil fertility and subsequently transitioning to full-scale poultry farming under the solar panel, thereby creating a sustainable and profitable integrated land use model.
Methodology
Over a 12-month pilot period, this phase will establish small-scale semi-scavenging poultry farming integrated under solar panels or in open spaces, in collaboration with TSEL. Following the 12-month pilot phase, and upon demonstrated financial viability of the poultry farming model (indicated by a favourable CBR from poultry operations alone), the project will be scaled up. The study will collect and analyse data on crop yields, poultry production, and economic returns to evaluate the project’s effectiveness and sustainability.
For this project, at least two different types of poultry birds will be selected. Two different feeding regimes will be tested for each bird: one that incorporates semi-scavenging and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae alongside commercial feed (CF), and another that primarily uses commercial feed supplemented with semi-scavenging. The main outcome will then evaluate the financial viability of each combination, using the Cost-Benefit Ratio (BCR). This will allow us to determine which feeding strategy is most financially sound for the different poultry bird types under local conditions.
Findings and Recommendations
Forthcoming.
