Renewable Energy is “energy derived from natural processes (e.g. sunlight and wind) that are replenished at a faster rate than they are consumed. Solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and some forms of biomass are common sources of renewable energy." 

Energy in agriculture is important in terms of crop production and agro-processing for adding value. Human, animal and mechanical energy is extensively used for crop production in agriculture. Most farm machines are driven by fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and, in turn, accelerate climate change. Such environmental damage can be mitigated by the promotion of renewable resources such as solar, wind, biomass, tidal, geo-thermal, small-scale hydro, biofuels and wave-generated power. These renewable resources have a huge potential for the agriculture industry.

The concept of sustainable agriculture lies on a delicate balance of maximizing crop productivity and maintaining economic stability, while minimizing the utilization of finite natural resources and detrimental environmental impacts. Sustainable agriculture also depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, such as natural gas, which is used in converting atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic fertilizer, and mineral ores, e.g. phosphate or fossil fuel used in diesel generators for water pumping for irrigation.

There is a need for promoting use of renewable energy systems for sustainable agriculture, e.g. solar photovoltaic water pumps and electricity, greenhouse technologies, solar dryers for post-harvest processing, and solar hot water heaters. Renewable energy technologies are ones that consume primary energy resources that are not subject to depletion. Examples of renewable technologies include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy and biomass.  It is an accepted fact that renewable energy is a sustainable form of energy, which has attracted more attention during recent years. A great amount of renewable energy potential and environmental interest, as well as economic consideration of fossil fuel consumption and high emphasis on sustainable development for the future will be needed.

The various sources of energy, e.g. solar, wind, hydraulic, biomass, organic wastes, biofuels, and combined heat and power provide a simple, sustainable, effective solution for the conservation of valuable non-renewable fossil resources without resulting in environmental pollution. Solar energy can be utilized in its varied forms, e.g. solar PV, direct solar thermal, and renewable fuels and wind can offer the solution to the world’s energy problems and ultimately make the environment sustainable for future generations by reducing environmental pollution from fossil fuel energy usage.

A high level of integration of RE into an agricultural process can lead to high efficiencies, low environmental impact and low production costs. Use of renewable energy in rural remote areas of many developing countries could help farmers to increase agricultural productivity as well as to earn more money by value addition to their produces (e.g. controlled drying of fruits and vegetables, cheese production from milk, off-seasonal production of fruits and vegetables with irrigation, etc.)

Reference: Chel, Kaushik. Renewable energy for sustainable agriculture. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, Springer Verlag/EDP Sciences/INRA, 2011, 31 (1), pp.91-118. ff10.1051/agro/2010029ff. ffhal00930477f