JuneSim63 💚

Arizona's farmers have discovered agrivoltaics. This is a no brainer in such hot, dry areas.

"Some plants actually produced more with less water. Cowpea beans, for example – also known as black-eyed peas – had a higher crop yield when grown in the shade of solar panels. Full sun required twice as much water, it turned out"

#Agrivoltaics #Agriculture #SolarPanels #Drought #Heat #ClimateEmergency

Farmers turn to Solar Panels to shade Crops, Save Water and generate Power
https://www.juancole.com/2024/07/farmers-panels-generate.html

Farmers turn to Solar Panels to shade Crops, Save Water and generate Power

By Amaia J. Gavica/Cronkite News ( Cronkite News ) - WASHINGTON – For 31 straight days last summer, temperatures in Phoenix hit or topped 110 degrees, the longest such streak ever. That searing Arizona heat dehydrates crops and evaporates water the state needs to conserve. Creating shade is one way to combat the problem. By using solar panels, farmers can simultaneously protect their plants, save water and lower their energy bills – and some are doing just that with help from federal programs designed to encourage this sustainable method of growing. Photovoltaic panels are placed above the crops, harnessing the

Informed Comment
Jul 14, 2024 at 5:34amWeb
Show threadLoukas (They/Them) 🏳️‍⚧️Jul 14, 2024
@junesim63 it's obvious when they say it! When the sun is that hot shade is a good thing.
Show threadGurre VildskäggJul 14, 2024
@junesim63
That's a lot of potential solar panel area in the US southwest if you shade most of certain crops with them. A lot.
Which I'm guessing would be nice to have as a power source for the region?
Show threadThe_SunJul 14, 2024

@Gurre

As well as stable income for the farmer, out side of the weather, market dependant boom and busts.
@junesim63

Show threadB.Jul 14, 2024
@junesim63 Wondering about the trade-off point. Radiation defines the potential yield of a crop. Less radiation, less potential yield.
Water though is a yield limiting factor. Potential yield cannot be attained if water availability is limiting.
Only when the water savings of APV compensate for the lower potential yield there's a real gain.
Shout-out to the #cropmodel|ers and #cropphysiologists of the Fediverse, any literature on this?
Show threadSepia FanJul 14, 2024
@bhaug @junesim63
I guess these solar panels are a good way to balance both factors (too much sun, too little water). A bit like in a greenhouse, but probably cheaper overall and with the benefit to generate power.
Show threadnetbirdJul 14, 2024
@bhaug @junesim63
"radiation defines..."
That's not entirely true: some plants are simply burning in the sun if it's too hot
And the interdependency between radiation and output is far from linear: some plants can deal quite well with dimmed light. So that technology is also about crop selection to maximize the total output
Show threadB.Jul 14, 2024
@netbird @junesim63 Sure, not solely of course. Potential yield is defined by radiation, CO2 concentration and temperature. The most basic feature of plant growth, photosynthesis, is defined by these three parameters. Of course at higher temperature photorespiration increases thus also under hot circumstances there might be a tradeoff with shading bringing both advantages (cooling -> more effecient photosynthesis) and disadvantages (less light -> less photosynthesis).
Show threadUlrich O.Jul 14, 2024

@junesim63
"Full sun required twice as much water, it turned out"

Looks like the scientists have outdone themselves!

😜

Show threadFinal Round Player 😷🇪🇺🍸Jul 14, 2024
@junesim63 With UK Labour pushing for solar panels, I'd really like to see more R&D into combined solar and agriculture/grazing. How hard is it to raise the panels a bit so automated farming can be done underneath? And harden the supports so livestock don't break them.
Show threadclucoseJul 14, 2024
@junesim63 EU even made studies about it and showed gains. With climate change this is a no-brainer.
Show threadJoris MeysJul 14, 2024
@junesim63 strong "no shit, Sherlock" vibes on this one. But glad they FINALLY get it.
Show threadLee 🌏Jul 14, 2024
@junesim63
Lot better for those picking the crops, too.
Show threadDennis Faucher  Jul 14, 2024
@junesim63 That sounds excellent
Show threadRoy_Rock_OnJul 14, 2024
@junesim63 Super cool. Never would have thought you could grow crops under solar panels. Now that I see it- makes a lot of sense.
Show threadMortenJul 14, 2024
@junesim63 But you can't drive a combine harvester the size of a high school under solar panels
Show threadRalph (AF4EZ)Jul 14, 2024
@junesim63 There are many many crops that grow better in the shade.
Two crops that have been grown in artificial shade in Wisconsin for decades are cigar wrapping tobacco and ginseng.
Show threadMathias ❄️🐺🐶 Jul 14, 2024
@junesim63 I love this
Show threadCyJul 14, 2024
Arizona farmers have discovered shade