Land-use Change and Solar Energy Production: A Real Option Approach
Date
28.11.2011
28.11.2011
Authors
Ardjan Gazheli, Luca Di Corato
JEL Code
C61, D81, Q24, Q42
C61, D81, Q24, Q42
Keywords:
Land Allocation, Real Options, Renewable Energy, Solar farm, Uncertainty
Land Allocation, Real Options, Renewable Energy, Solar farm, Uncertainty
Publisher
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Editor
Carlo Carraro
Carlo Carraro
In this paper a real option model is developed to examine the critical factors affecting the decision to lease agricultural land to a company installing a PV power plant. The leasing payment is certain while the net revenues from agriculture are uncertain. We identify the profit values at which the farmer decides to lease his plot vs. continue farming it. By applying the model to the province of Bologna (Italy), we illustrate the possible land-use change scenarios in this area. We conclude by discussing the importance of PV energy production as a source of income for farmers and its implications from a social perspective.