Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has joined forces with Elite Agro Holding to inaugurate the Middle East and North Africa’s first agricultural photovoltaic (AgriPV) pilot. Unveiled during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the Al Foah Farm in Al Ain, the project represents a transformative approach to dual land use. By integrating solar panels directly with greenhouse structures and open-field crops, the initiative utilizes partial shading to shield plants from extreme heat and reduce water evaporation—two of the primary hurdles for desert farming. This pilot is engineered to generate critical data on crop performance and energy efficiency in arid climates, serving as a blueprint for the UAE’s broader sustainability goals. The project directly supports the National Food Security Strategy 2051 by enhancing local production and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 by expanding the reach of renewable energy. As a scalable reference model, it demonstrates that food and energy security are n...