Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam has launched its first research project on combining solar energy with agriculture, aiming to increase farmers' incomes while accelerating the country's energy transition.

The Agri-photovoltaics for rural areas in Vietnam (Agri-PV) project was officially unveiled in Hanoi on September 9 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) in partnership with the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ). This marks the first agricultural initiative in the country focused specifically on integrating solar energy into rural farming practices.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Director General of the ministry’s International Cooperation Department Pham Ngoc Mau highlighted the project’s dual benefits.

Integrating solar energy with farming on the same land can deliver substantial economic gains, contribute to gender equality and help farmers boost their livelihoods while supporting Vietnam’s energy transition, he said.

According to Nguyen The Hinh, deputy head of the Agriculture Projects Management Board and director of Agri-PV, Vietnam’s solar sector has experienced exponential growth. Installed capacity increased from just 272MW in 2019 to more than 16GW by the end of 2024. Projections suggest solar capacity will reach 22GW by 2030 and 168GW by 2050.

The Agri-PV project sets a target of deploying at least 10 pilot models for agricultural solar plants during its three-year implementation from 2025 to 2027. These pilots will provide crucial insights into how farmers can benefit from integrating crop production with solar energy generation.

The project also aims to strengthen knowledge among policymakers and stakeholders. By its conclusion, 65% of 20 key policy and sector representatives are expected to have improved their understanding of the current state and future potential of agri-solar development in Vietnam.

Funded and supported by GIZ, the Agri-PV initiative addresses both policy gaps and technical barriers.

Hinh said that the project will assess Vietnam’s agricultural solar potential, design suitable development strategies and deliver advisory services to stakeholders. It will also help mobilise resources for scaling up the model nationwide, aligning with the country's commitments to a just energy transition, net zero emissions by 2050 and NDC 3.0 climate targets.

Dr Michaela Baur, Country Director at GIZ Vietnam, said that with over three decades of presence in the country, GIZ has extensive expertise in renewable energy and agriculture projects, particularly in facilitating public-private partnerships and regulatory frameworks.

💯 She pointed out that countries like Germany, Thailand, India and Brazil have already piloted agri-solar models, generating valuable lessons for emerging economies./.