3 ms·
Are there solar farms that are utilizing the space underneath the panels for any productive use, like growing plants that need shade?
by ipsum2 3y ago
Are there solar farms that are utilizing the space underneath the panels for any productive use, like growing plants that need shade?
- defrost 3y agoSolar farm trial shows improved fleece on merino sheep grazed under panels https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-05-30/solar-farm-grazing-sheep-agriculture-renewable-energy-review/101097364 https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-05-30/solar-farm-graz...
- maltmaster 3y agoI think not in large scale yet, but there are experiments. > "Solar panels in a field will necessarily cast a shadow. This can be beneficial for some crops, for others not. In Northern Europe, agrivoltaic production seems to be suitable for crops such as onions, grains, potatoes, and root vegetables, perhaps also strawberries or raspberries. In areas where the sunshine is more intense, solar panels can reduce evaporation and lay the foundation for higher production than otherwise. In southern Europe, solar panels can probably be combined with vines or olive bushes," says van der Pouw. https://www.statkraft.com/newsroom/news-and-stories/2022/agrivoltaics-combining-solar-panels-and-agriculture/ https://www.statkraft.com/newsroom/news-and-stories/2022/agr... https://www.npr.org/2021/11/14/1054942590/solar-energy-colorado-garden-farm-land https://www.npr.org/2021/11/14/1054942590/solar-energy-color...
- doctorhandshake 3y agoIf you’re keyword foraging, the term for this is ‘agrovoltaics’
- IndrekR 3y ago`agrivoltaics’ seems to be common.
- doctorhandshake 3y agoYou’re being polite - that seems to be the term, and I’m only now just noticing I’ve been reading the word wrong. Thanks for catching
- pandemic_region 3y agoInteresting, how does harvesting work then? Or they mount the panels high enjoy so it's easy to get underneath? Edit: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrivoltaics https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrivoltaics It's actually more straightforward than I thought.
- jillesvangurp 3y agoThat is a big topic. There are plenty of farmers doing that. Especially further south, a bit of shade is actually helpful to protect plants. And farmers get more revenue out of their land this way too.
- konschubert 3y agoHaving sheep graze under solar panels is pretty standard here in Germany and it's a win for all sides.
- tpm 3y agoYes: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230424-how-agrivoltaics-helped-save-italys-citron-and-lemon-trees https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230424-how-agrivoltaics...
- standeven 3y agoA new trend in agrivoltaics uses rows of double sided vertically-mounted solar panels, receiving light from the East and West. The rows are spaced far enough apart that combines or tractors or whatever can fit between. They take up a minimal amount of land and receive the earlier and later light of the day, helping avoid the grid spike in the afternoon.