Farming the Sun: A Study on Solar Energy and Rural Life in Alberta and Tuscany

Summary

This study is about how people in rural areas are adjusting to new solar energy projects and farming with solar panels, called agrivoltaics. We want to talk to farmers, landowners, and others in the community to see how these changes are affecting their land, jobs, and everyday lives. Your stories will help us understand the challenges and disagreements that come up, as well as the possible benefits of these projects. By listening to local people, we hope to make better plans for the future. Our goal is to respect the needs of the community and find a way for farming and energy to work well together.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 18 to 99

Accepts healthy participants: Yes

Inclusion criteria:

You can take part in this study if:

- You live or work in a rural area of Southern or Central Alberta (for example: Vulcan County, Foothills County, Ponoka, Cochrane, Camrose, Innisfail, or Vegreville), or in the Tuscan provinces of Livorno, Grosseto, Siena, or Pisa.

- You are involved in farming, ranching, or own rural land — or you work in the renewable energy sector (for example, solar project planning, development, or outreach).

- You are part of a cooperative, environmental group, or non-profit organization focused on land use, rural development, or energy transition.

- You have experience with solar energy projects or farming with solar panels (agrivoltaics), either on your land or in your community.

- You are at least 18 years old.

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

Method of contact

UCalgary Notice of Collection
The University of Calgary (UCalgary) respects your privacy and is committed to ensuring the privacy of all students, staff, and community members. Your personal information is being collected under the authority of section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). It will be collected, used and disclosed for the purposes outlined in UCalgary’s Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information and managed in accordance with UCalgary’s Privacy Management Program. Your personal information may be input into automated systems to generate content or make decisions, recommendations, or predictions. If you have questions regarding this notice or UCalgary’s collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information, please contact accessandprivacy@ucalgary.ca.

Additional information

Contact information

Anna Bettini Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Calgary

Principal investigator:

Petra Dolata

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB25-1042