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Green Synergy: The Benefits of Agrivoltaics on Farming and the Future of Solar

As concerns over climate change, resource scarcity, and sustainable food production become more pressing, it is essential that innovative practices like pairing green energy solutions with agricultural productivity are implemented. By integrating solar panels with agriculture, a mutually beneficial relationship is created between the solar industry, farmers, and the communities in which they operate.

Let’s further examine agrivoltaics, and why it is important for the future of farming and the solar industry. 

Agrivolatics: An Overview

Also known as dual-use solar or agrisolar, agrivoltaics refers to the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar energy production. A variant known as solar grazing allows livestock to congregate and nibble around installations. 

This system alleviates competition over land and views these industries as beneficial to one another.

What Are the Benefits of Agrivolatics?

The benefits of agrivoltaics include: 

  • Water conservation through decreased evaporation of water from irrigation and rainfall is a notable benefit. Solar panels shade crops and allow the soil to retain more water. 
  • Crop yields are higher when grown under solar panels. The panels also provide a certain amount of protection from extreme weather. 
  • Mutual cooling occurs whereby solar panels shade crops from intense sunlight while the crops lower the temperature of solar panels.
  • Efficient land use is a crucial advantage of agrivoltaics. Solar farms require a lot of land, and 43 percent of land in the US is devoted to agriculture.
Sheep grazing mustard plants at solar farm, Geldermalsen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Are There Cons to Agrivolatics?

Some cons of agrivoltaics include: 

  • High cost is a con to consider. Agricultural installations require pricier mounting systems than standard photovoltaic (PV) installations. 
  • Lower energy output is another downside. The shared space reduces the number of panels that can be installed, limiting overall energy production. 
  • Crop variety is reduced as not all crops grow well in the shade of solar panels.

What Crops Work Best With Agrivolatics?

Some of the crops that work best with agrivoltaics include: 

  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Lettuce
  • Potatoes
  • Radishes
  • Spinach
Carrots grow in the garden. Selective focus.

Why Is It Important to Combine Solar and Agriculture?

Only about 4 percent of electricity in the US is provided by solar energy. This could reach as high as 40 percent in the next 12 years through the implementation of agrivoltaics. 

The amount of land needed for the level of solar deployment required to achieve significant decarbonization is nearly 6 million acres. With almost half of land in the US dedicated to agriculture, a solar and agricultural synergy is essential for success.

Why You Should Consider Solar?

While large-scale solar and agrivoltaics will bear most of the burden that comes with reducing carbon in the electricity sector, residential and commercial solar installations still play a massive role in reaching decarbonization goals. Every home and business installation is a step in the right direction for the environment and global energy efficiency. 

By going solar, you will not only help yourself reduce energy costs and become energy independent, but you will be a player in improving the planet and the future.

Contact Gurr Brothers Energy

Be a part of the solution and contact Gurr Brothers Energy to discuss going solar. Their team of solar energy experts will help you get on the right side of the energy future.

Author: Hunter S.

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