Public Perceptions of Agrivoltaics in Canada: Social Acceptance, Land Use, and Rural Implications

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ABSTRACT

Canada holds significant potential to reduce fossil fuel reliance through agrivoltaics, which combine agriculture with solar photovoltaic (PV) energy on the same land. Just 1% of Canada’s agrivoltaic capacity could eliminate fossil fuel-based electricity, yet adoption remains limited. This study investigates public perceptions of agrivoltaics via a nationwide survey of 1,595 respondents, examining economic, environmental, and social dimensions of acceptance. Overall, 85.8% supported agrivoltaics, with preferences varying by configuration and region. Stilt-mounted systems received the highest approval (92.6%), followed by greenhouse-integrated designs and solar grazing. Agrivoltaics over perennial crops and trees were least preferred but still exceeded 80% approval. Regional support was strongest in Nova Scotia (95.6%), Manitoba (93.0%), and British Columbia (92.9%), and lowest in Yukon. Opposition stemmed mainly from resistance to change, aesthetics, and land-use concerns, often linked to misinformation. Findings highlight the need for education and outreach to advance agrivoltaics in Canada’s sustainable energy transition.

BIOGRAPHY

Uzair Jamil is a PhD candidate in Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Western University, specializing in agrivoltaics – integrating renewable energy and agriculture to advance sustainable, net-zero solutions. His interdisciplinary research spans system design, energy modeling, crop performance, and policy, resulting in 19 peer-reviewed publications with over 200 citations in just three years. He has pioneered Canada’s foundational agrivoltaics research, leading experimental field trials on crops such as lettuce, strawberries, and amaranth, and developing Canada’s first agrivoltaic-agrotunnel system. Uzair is the Founding Director of Agrivoltaics Canada, a national non-profit connecting industry and academia to accelerate dual land-use innovations. His work has been featured in CBC, CTV, Agritecture, and PV Magazine, highlighting its national and international impact. Prior to academia, Uzair gained extensive engineering experience in the energy, automotive, and petrochemical sectors, managing multi-million-dollar projects. Combining industrial expertise with academic innovation, he is advancing interdisciplinary pathways for sustainable food-energy systems.