Taiwan Sugar Corporation's hasty solar power development: even the edamame export zone is set to get solar panels! Farmers are up in arms; experts say edamame has high light requirements and is completely unsuitable
Can edamame still grow with solar panels installed above the fields? Taiwan Sugar Corporation plans to create an "agrivoltaic co-existence" demonstration site, and recently selected the "green gold" edamame zone in Pingtung, planning to set aside 37.95 hectares as a "farming-type solar power zone," but farmers and experts have questioned this: edamame is a crop with high light requirements, and it only grows well with sunlight. How could it possibly co-exist with solar panels?
The Taiwan Sugar Corporation plan also mentions that if edamame yields under the solar panels fall short of expectations, farmers should be guided to switch crops. Farmers were alarmed upon hearing this: where are edamame farmers supposed to go? Although Taiwan Sugar Corporation guarantees it will not affect edamame cultivation, farmers included in the zone worry that if this precedent is set, will the area be expanded in the future?
Edamame is Taiwan's "green gold," with outstanding export performance. Export value has exceeded 80 million USD for three consecutive years, and this year it is expected to hit a historic high. If solar panels are installed in the production zone of such an excellent crop, farmers worry that output value and livelihoods will be greatly affected, and they believe there is no possibility of co-existence between green gold and green energy.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation plan: An agrivoltaic co-existence zone will be designated for edamame shading experiments
"Upstream and Downstream" exclusively obtained Taiwan Sugar Corporation's experimental plan for this agrivoltaic co-existence demonstration site. It states: To align with the government's energy policy, Taiwan Sugar Corporation has inventoried land suitable for promoting farming-type solar power and has already submitted nine zone project plans to the Council of Agriculture for review. In January this year, one more case was submitted: this piece of farmland in Yanpu, Pingtung, leased to farmers for edamame cultivation.
The plan explains that in order to meet the requirement that a zone must be at least 25 hectares, this case covers 37.95 hectares, of which 34.21 hectares are leased for edamame cultivation, 0.8 hectares are for agricultural roads and waterways, and 2.94 hectares are planned for solar panels as an agrivoltaic co-existence experiment. It was originally planted with landscape nursery stock, and the site has now been cleared and left empty in preparation.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation claims contracted farmers have agreed; the farmer himself says: Edamame cannot be used for agrivoltaic co-existence
The plan also explains the feasibility of co-existence between edamame and solar panels: "Edamame is a short-day crop. With appropriate variety selection and under suitable shading, it can meet production requirements. This plan will conduct experiments with three shading rates (green energy facility configuration plans), compare the effects of different shading rates on edamame yield, and provide a reference basis for future large-scale implementation."
The plan also claims that consent was obtained from the leasing farmer: "The agrivoltaic co-existence experimental area will follow the same operational process for edamame cultivation as regular edamame production. The landowner is Taiwan Sugar Corporation, and the edamame producer also agrees to the planning content of this zone project and expresses approval for the implementation of agrivoltaic co-existence."
However, when "Upstream and Downstream" visited in person the contracted farmer cultivating this land, Lan Hsin-chun, he said: "Edamame cannot be used for agrivoltaic co-existence!" His opinion clearly contradicts the content of the plan.
Contracted farmer: Edamame absolutely cannot grow well under shade; once solar power is installed in the complete zone, it may damage the industry
Lan Hsin-chun said that when Taiwan Sugar Corporation sent people to discuss it that day, he told the Taiwan Sugar Corporation representative on the spot that agrivoltaic co-existence in edamame fields was not feasible. However, if Taiwan Sugar Corporation used its own 2.94 hectares of farmland for experimentation, as long as it did not affect the edamame fields he cultivated, he did not oppose it, so he signed the consent form. But after signing the consent form, Lan Hsin-chun asked Taiwan Sugar Corporation to provide a letter of undertaking guaranteeing it would not affect the edamame cultivation area, yet Taiwan Sugar Corporation delayed providing it and had already sent the plan to the Council of Agriculture for review.
Lan Hsin-chun pointed out, "My edamame growing next to the 'windbreak forest' (roadside trees for environmental afforestation) already does not grow well because it is blocked by the trees, let alone with solar panels." On-site observation showed that edamame under the tree shade indeed exhibited spindly growth. He emphasized that edamame needs sufficient sunlight to grow healthily and is completely unsuitable for agrivoltaic co-existence.
He was even more worried that after being designated as an agrivoltaic zone, edamame quality might decline, and the solar panels would also affect foreign customers' good impression of the original edamame zone. This is because many customers value this large, contiguous, and complete field area, which facilitates cultivation management and ensures stable, excellent edamame quality.
Lan Hsin-chun has followed his father in growing edamame since childhood, and could be said to have been raised by edamame. This vast edamame zone was designated before the 96th year of the Republic of China (2007). Only after the designation did farmers dare to boldly invest in expensive large-scale agricultural machinery. "Just land preparation and burying pipes for the irrigation system cost 10 to 20 million, and each large machine costs over 10 million." He explained that after Taiwan Sugar Corporation stopped growing sugarcane, edamame farmers were among the first group to lease Taiwan Sugar Corporation land, so the land they leased was all the best. Now that the results are outstanding, Taiwan Sugar Corporation wants to install solar power in this precious zone, which is inconceivable.
Experts: Legumes cannot be used for agrivoltaic co-existence, and large machinery is difficult to operate
An agricultural expert from an agricultural research institution also pointed out the absurdity of this plan: "Edamame is a crop with high light requirements and cannot tolerate any shading, which would cause spindly growth, with plants only flowering but not setting pods, or setting pods that do not fill out." Moreover, edamame uses large machinery from land preparation and sowing to harvest. If green energy facilities with solar panels cover the fields, it would be difficult for machinery to work.
At present, agricultural research institutions in various places are also studying crops feasible for agrivoltaic co-existence, looking for crop varieties that are shade-tolerant and can still maintain yields above 70% under solar panels. "But legumes, theoretically, are known to be impossible for agrivoltaic co-existence and have never been included among the options."
Taiwan Sugar Corporation may also have misunderstood the definition of "short-day crop." The plan mentions, "Edamame is a short-day crop. With appropriate variety selection and under suitable shading, it can meet production requirements." But experts point out that so-called short-day refers to a growing period of only 70-80 days and a shorter total sunshine duration, not that edamame has lower light requirements and can tolerate shading. "Edamame needs very high light intensity," and there is currently no light-insensitive variety available for selection.
Another expert pointed out that Taiwan Sugar Corporation's approach is too hasty. To apply for an agrivoltaic co-existence zone, it should first conduct experiments itself and apply after having data. Moreover, among more than 30 hectares, less than 3 hectares would be used for agrivoltaic co-existence. "How can that be called a zone?"
Taiwan Sugar Corporation plan: If cultivation is poor, switch crops; farmers: Will green energy take over as host?
Edamame is known as "green gold." Over the past decade, through joint efforts of industry, government, academia, and research, it has built a shining export record. In the 108th year of the Republic of China (2019), export volume reached 38,915 metric tons, earning 84.53 million USD (2.61 billion New Taiwan dollars) in foreign exchange, and this year it is expected to break a 50-year record. The sound edamame export industry chain, along with scientific management and corporate-style operation, can be called a benchmark crop among the nation's agricultural products.
However, this case casts a shadow over the edamame vision. The section in the plan that worries farmers most is the "Explanation of Rights and Interests Protection for the Solar Power System," which states:
"After this plan is implemented, if crops planted in the experimental area do not reach yield standards, it is recommended that the Council of Agriculture/Taiwan Sugar Corporation assist and guide crop switching to ensure that the 20-year power purchase agreement signed between the solar power system and Taiwan Power Company remains continuously effective, and to avoid causing misunderstanding of a situation of 'fake planting, real solar power' that could affect the reputations of both companies."
That is, if edamame does not grow well under the solar panels and yields are poor, farmers should be guided to switch to other crops in order to maintain operation of the solar power system.
Edamame farmers question why "green gold" that is growing well should be switched to other crops because of solar power. If green energy takes over as host, it directly contradicts the statement in the plan of "agriculture as the main body, green energy as value-added."
Farmers worry even more, "If I agree, will it continue expanding in the future?" According to the plan: "With Taiwan's contracted edamame area exceeding 7,000 hectares, it is preliminarily estimated that the potential for subsequent solar photovoltaic system installation could reach more than 4GW." This seems to imply that if this demonstration site goes smoothly, Taiwan Sugar Corporation could expand and turn other edamame fields leased to farmers into solar power zones as well.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation: Agrivoltaic co-existence absolutely will not affect edamame fields; if the lessee does not agree, it will not be implemented
Regarding the various doubts, Liang Yaoguang, head of the Biomass Energy Assessment and Development Section of Taiwan Sugar Corporation's Renewable Energy Group, responded, "I have always emphasized that I am only doing this just over 2 hectares," guaranteeing it will not affect the surrounding edamame fields.
Liang Yaoguang said that the reason this land was initially chosen for agrivoltaic co-existence edamame cultivation was that edamame was already being grown all around. In the future, it is hoped that farmers will be asked to cultivate it on behalf of the company. "This is to comply with regulations. A zone must be 25 hectares, so the surrounding area needed to be included," thus incorporating the nearby more than 30 hectares of edamame fields into the zone.
As to whether edamame is suitable for cultivation under solar panels, Liang Yaoguang admitted that expert opinions were not consulted beforehand and there was no precedent to follow, so it was hoped to use this demonstration site for experimentation. The issue of access for large machinery has already been taken into consideration. "The machinery is 4 meters high and 4 meters wide, and the solar panels are planned to be raised higher and widened."
Why not choose other more suitable crops? Liang Yaoguang explained that the crops currently tested by the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute are mainly vegetables, but if Taiwan Sugar Corporation's agrivoltaic co-existence were to grow vegetables, the labor burden would be difficult. In the future, management will be adjusted according to on-site crop cultivation conditions.
Tree-cutting for solar power in Wanluan had just caused controversy, and edamame solar power has stirred up another storm
Recently, Taiwan Sugar Corporation's flatland afforestation area in Wanluan, Pingtung, also introduced an agrivoltaic co-existence zone plan, which was opposed by local residents. Now the agricultural solar plan proposed for the edamame zone in Yanpu has also been questioned by farmers and experts. Should Taiwan Sugar Corporation's planning be more prudent?
Liang Yaoguang said local opinions will absolutely be respected. This case has involved multiple communications with farmers and lessees, and they were asked to sign consent forms. Taiwan Sugar Corporation's supervising authority is the Ministry of Economic Affairs. "The minister has always emphasized that edamame is an important export crop and the edamame industry must not be affected."
But if the lessee does not agree, how will Taiwan Sugar Corporation handle it? Liang Yaoguang replied, "It is possible that this case cannot be implemented." He also explained that this case has been sent to the Council of Agriculture for review, and local government permission is also required. If the reviewing committee members do not all approve, Taiwan Sugar Corporation will make further revisions.
Industry insiders worry Taiwan Sugar Corporation may not renew leases; state-owned land should be planned more carefully
An edamame industry insider said that although Taiwan Sugar Corporation states agrivoltaic co-existence will not affect edamame farmers' rights and interests, it requires lessees to sign consent forms. If lessees do not agree, they also worry Taiwan Sugar Corporation may take back the land and not renew the lease. "The development of the edamame zone to this point is very meaningful. If it is unilaterally reclaimed, it will greatly harm the edamame industry." At present, Taiwan Sugar Corporation has also not put its commitments in writing as a letter of undertaking for the lessee.
Landowner Taiwan Sugar Corporation holds the right to decide whether to lease the land, but this time even the consent form signer was mistaken. It turns out Lan Hsin-chun is only a contracted farmer, and the consent form should have been signed by the lessee, Chen Hsiang Foods.
Chen Hsiang Foods is one of the main domestic operators that purchases edamame and exports it to Japan, and leases much Taiwan Sugar Corporation land to grow edamame. Japanese customers have strict requirements for products; which field each batch comes from and all production processes must be reported in detail. If solar power is installed in the zone, it may raise customer concerns.
Lan Hsin-chun believes that Taiwan Sugar Corporation's land is not for Taiwan Sugar Corporation alone to decide. "This is state-owned land, the land of the people of Taiwan. Taiwan Sugar Corporation is only the manager." Promoting green energy is a major national policy, and Taiwan Sugar Corporation, as a state-run enterprise, should not act hastily.
Reviewing agency, Agriculture and Food Agency: Edamame is an important industry, and we will carefully guard the gate
Chen Chi-jung, chief secretary of the Agriculture and Food Agency responsible for reviewing this case, said that for the nine cases submitted by Taiwan Sugar Corporation last year, a written information review meeting has already been held. Experts' suggestions at the meeting can be summarized into three points: first, "agriculture as the foundation," agrivoltaic co-existence must balance quality and yield and maintain a good agricultural operating environment; second, it must integrate agriculture, ecology, and landscape; third, it must implement full communication with local residents, civic groups, and local government.
Chen Chi-jung explained that this Yanpu edamame field case must also comply with the above principles, and edamame is an important industry with export competitiveness. "This plan wants to use edamame for agrivoltaic co-existence, and we are also very prudent. Edamame has very high light requirements, and initially it appears there will be an impact." The Agriculture and Food Agency will exercise the most careful gatekeeping regarding whether combining edamame with solar power will affect the overall development of the industry, foreign customers' views of the product, the feasibility of mechanical operations, and whether quality will be affected.