Agrivoltaics is a new term and method of growing being tested in agriculture.
A University of Arizona professor coined the term for work he is doing with farming and solar energy panels.
The work involves planting crops under the photovoltaic solar panel farm. The only modification required is to raise the panels about 10 feet so farm equipment can work under them.
“In an agrivoltaic system,” Prof Greg Barron-Gifford told Science Daily, “the environment is much cooler in the summer and stays warmer in the winters.”
This reduces rates of evaporation from irrigated waters, but plants “don’t get as stressed out.”
Direct sunlight on the plants is cut by 75 per cent but there is so much diffused light they grow well.
Agrivoltaic trials so far involve about 1,770 square feet. Bigger area installations are in development.
The trials grow beans, tomatoes, peppers, herbs and spices.
They have found that lettuce, chards and kale grow better with these methods. This system causes plants to develop bigger leaves.
Evaporation from the crops helps cool the solar panels. Panels don’t perform their best when too hot.
Barron-Gifford believes increased yields and water savings will pay for cost of steel to raise the solar panels.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
