Solar irrigation system in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam

Can agrivoltaics be developed in Ho Chi Minh city?

One company that exemplifies successful deployment of agrivoltaics is ENVELOPS, a Korean start-up specializing in agrivoltaic solutions. Two of their projects – a large-scale initiative in Fiji and a pilot project in Vietnam – provide insightful lessons for the potential development of agrivoltaics in Ho Chi Minh City.

Does Vietnam have solar power?

The government of Vietnam aims to rapidly expand renewable energy—particularly solar and wind—to meet net-zero emissions targets. However, much of Vietnam’s most productive solar potential overlaps with agricultural land.

Could Vietnam's water surface be used for floating photovoltaics (FPVS)?

Vietnam's vast water surfaces could be used for deploying floating photovoltaics (FPVs) technology, which is an emerging and innovative approach in generating clean electricity. The country has successfully deployed local power generation through small and mini hydropower before, which has supported agricultural developments in Vietnam.

How sustainable is Ho Chi Minh city?

Ho Chi Minh City, an emerging economic powerhouse and the largest city in Vietnam, finds itself at a crossroads in its trajectory of growth and development. As the city continues to expand at an unprecedented pace, sustainability has emerged as a critical issue in its development narrative.

How much land does Vietnam need to build a solar power plant?

Most farmers in Vietnam have less than 1 ha (or 2.4 acres) of land, meaning that solar developers need to negotiate with multiple local farmers to build large-scale power plants.

Should Vietnam use floating photovoltaics?

In Vietnam 40% of the land is dedicated to agriculture and thousands of inland water bodies are used for agriculture/aquaculture. Utilising even a small portion of them for Floating Photovoltaics (FPVs) would mitigate land-use conflicts and benefits agriculture and aquaculture.