Silly Danielle. You can have both with agrivoltaic farming.
Western University: Shading crops with solar panels can improve farming, lower food costs and reduce emissions
Quote:
Our recently published paper found that Canada has an enormous agrivoltaic potential as it is a global agricultural powerhouse — with Canadian-produced food export goals set at $75 billion by 2025.
Many crops grown here, including corn, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, wheat and pasture grass have already been proven to increase with agrivoltaics.
Studies from all over the world have shown crop yields increase when the crops are partially shaded with solar panels. These yield increases are possible because of the microclimate created underneath the solar panels that conserves water and protects plants from excess sun, wind, hail and soil erosion. This makes more food per acre, and could help bring down food prices.
And as the costs of solar energy plummet, nations across the world are installing agrivoltaic systems and offsetting the burning of fossil fuels by profitably producing more renewable energy.
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And while we're at it, an entire research paper on the viability of agrivolatics in Alberta specifically - the biggest factors holding it back in Alberta is GOVERNMENT legislation around land use:
Energies 2023, 16(1): Energy Policy for Agrivoltaics in Alberta Canada