Series Solar Sharing Frontline No.6 Nobeyama Agri-SolarProtecting Spinach from Sunlight and Rain

PDFをみる

The sixth in the series, features a case study on Nobeyama Agri-Solar in Minamimaki Village, Nagano Prefecture, demonstrating how agrivoltaics can support stable spinach production while strengthening agricultural infrastructure.

At Nobeyama Agri-Solar, spinach is cultivated beneath solar panels. Rain shelters installed under the panels protect the crop from intense sunlight and rainfall. The shelters use diffused-light film to scatter direct sunlight and distribute light evenly across the field, reducing uneven growth caused by the shadows of the solar panels. By combining this with the selection of varieties suited to shaded conditions and soil management based on soil analysis, the project maintains high product quality while achieving yields of more than 80% of the regional average.

Revenue from electricity sales is used to restore abandoned farmland and develop agricultural infrastructure. To establish the solar sharing project, approximately JPY 110 million was invested in land preparation, the construction of 55 rain shelters, well drilling, and drainage facilities. Because these initial investments were covered by the project, the farming company responsible for cultivation was able to begin spinach production without bearing the upfront costs of wells, shelters, or other agricultural infrastructure. As spinach is a leafy vegetable, the condition of its leaves largely determines its market value. By protecting the crop from intense sunlight and rainfall, the project maintains high quality and sells its spinach at prices above the market average.