Universitas Indonesia (UI) students who are members of the CANOPI Indonesia Team realized the project “CANOPI: Enhancing Solar Energy Efficiency and Coffee Yield via Agrivoltaic Integration with Shade-Grown Cultivation” in Undrus Binangun Village, Kadudampit, Sukabumi, West Java. The project, carried out from November 30 to December 1, 2024, started from an idea that won the AAPG Sustainable Development in Energy Competition 2024 held by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) in the United States in October 2024
The CANOPI Indonesia Team consists of six students from various faculties. They are Adnan Hasyim Wibowo (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), Safry Sitorus and Muhammad Gavin Dirgantara (Faculty of Engineering), Farrel Mukti Attalah and Wildan B.M. (Faculty of Economics and Business), and M. Rafi Aurelian R. (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences). Collaborating with FMIPA UI Lecturer, Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, as the implementation partner, these six students carried out the Solar Panel Socialization and Installation Program.
According to Adnan Hasyim, head of the CANOPI Indonesia Team, this activity aims to support environmental sustainability while improving the quality of life of the local community. By utilizing innovative technology and environmentally friendly agricultural methods, the Team presents renewable energy solutions that can improve the welfare of coffee farmers by increasing crop yields.
“Increasing the efficiency of solar energy and developing coffee plant productivity is carried out through the integration of dual-axis agrivoltaics with the cultivation method under shade. Solar panels that can move following the position of the sun (dual-axis) are used to maximize energy absorption. These solar panels are installed on coffee farms with the cultivation method under shade, which has been proven to improve the quality and quantity of coffee harvests,” said Adnan.
In the process of assembling solar panels, the CANOPI Indonesia Team involved students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Sukabumi and Universitas Nusa Putra Sukabumi, as well as partners from the Undrus Binangun Village Farmers Group and the Sukabumi Coffee Center. The collaboration between students and partners is not only beneficial for farmers, but also provides direct experience for students to implement the knowledge gained on campus in a real-life context.
Prof. Tito, as the implementation partner, said that the success of this project is expected to encourage research collaboration between FMIPA UI and academics and communities in the Sukabumi area. “With this collaboration, the program for utilizing technology and knowledge can be expanded, especially to create an ecosystem that supports the development of local products based on research, as well as building a broader culture of innovation among the community, especially in the City and Regency of Sukabumi,” he said.
In addition to the socialization and installation of solar panels, the CANOPI Indonesia Team also held a self-development seminar for local students. Taking place at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sukabumi, this seminar presented two speakers, namely Adnan—who is a 2024 UI Outstanding Student (Mapres)—and a representative of local farmers, Dede Rizal. Both shared insights on self-development strategies for students to be able to contribute to environmental and community issues. The Focus Group Discussion was held to discuss student involvement in strengthening cross-university collaboration in supporting sustainable development.
Dede Rizal expressed his appreciation to the CANOPI Indonesia Team who had contributed research grants for local farmers. According to him, this program has had a significant impact on various parties. For farmers in Undrus Binangun Village, the installation of solar panels helps reduce electricity operating costs, while opening up opportunities to increase productivity sustainably. In addition, the socialization carried out also strengthened farmers’ understanding of the importance of sustainability in agriculture, so that they were able to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of their coffee products.
Meanwhile, Indra Rissandi, a student participant, said that this program was an important momentum for students to deepen their insight into real contributions to renewable energy and sustainable development issues, while strengthening leadership and cross-university collaboration. “This program has a positive impact on the wider community because Undrus Binangun Village as an energy-independent and environmentally friendly village inspires other areas to adopt similar solutions in supporting the energy transition and sustainable resource management. Hopefully, this collaboration is not the end, but the beginning of a joint synergy to create innovations that are beneficial to the surrounding environment,” said Indra.
