Photovoltaic parks have started to gain prominence in developing and transition economies. This research is based on a qualitative case study conducted in Albania, and specifically at the implementation of photovoltaic systems in agriculture. The sustainable livelihood framework is used as a tool to facilitate data analysis. Thirty semi-structured interviews and 30 questionnaires were conducted. Livelihood strategies and livelihood portfolios among stakeholders are taken into consideration. The findings reveal that farmers have started to diversify agricultural activities and become more concerned about sustainable, renewable energy. However, the maintenance of the photovoltaic modules and systems requires regular and continuous human labor, which increases the total cost of agricultural production. Therefore, the maintenance of the photovoltaic systems through artificial intelligence would possibly reduce the total cost of production. Artificial intelligence techniques are being applied in various research fields and sectors to improve and enhance problems that are difficult to solve with conventional methods. Although the implementation of these solar modules is in its infancy, the farmers, mixed farms, agro-processing companies show that they are satisfied with this type of system that they have started to implement. The findings show that they will continue to add more solar panels. Therefore, farmers are pursuing beneficial results for their livelihoods. Local and central public policies should support sustainable, renewable energy through subsidies or grants. We suggest that further studies should continue to investigate this innovative approach in agriculture.

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Adoption of Photovoltaic Systems (PV) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Rural Economies of Albania

  • Anika Totojani,
  • Orkida Totojani,
  • Veland Ramadani

摘要

Photovoltaic parks have started to gain prominence in developing and transition economies. This research is based on a qualitative case study conducted in Albania, and specifically at the implementation of photovoltaic systems in agriculture. The sustainable livelihood framework is used as a tool to facilitate data analysis. Thirty semi-structured interviews and 30 questionnaires were conducted. Livelihood strategies and livelihood portfolios among stakeholders are taken into consideration. The findings reveal that farmers have started to diversify agricultural activities and become more concerned about sustainable, renewable energy. However, the maintenance of the photovoltaic modules and systems requires regular and continuous human labor, which increases the total cost of agricultural production. Therefore, the maintenance of the photovoltaic systems through artificial intelligence would possibly reduce the total cost of production. Artificial intelligence techniques are being applied in various research fields and sectors to improve and enhance problems that are difficult to solve with conventional methods. Although the implementation of these solar modules is in its infancy, the farmers, mixed farms, agro-processing companies show that they are satisfied with this type of system that they have started to implement. The findings show that they will continue to add more solar panels. Therefore, farmers are pursuing beneficial results for their livelihoods. Local and central public policies should support sustainable, renewable energy through subsidies or grants. We suggest that further studies should continue to investigate this innovative approach in agriculture.