this is incredible. Hanging solar panels a few meters above crops of tomatoes and jalapeรฑos multiplied their yield 2-3x, used substantially less water, controlled temperatures, and increased the output of the solar panels https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2301355120 #science #solar #environment #agriculture

@kellogh
Part 1: #ClimateChange

Wow.

Solution to the #ClimateCrisis using #SolarPanels for #farming: #Agrivoltaics

"Properly designed solar installations can increase food #harvests, reduce the need for #irrigation, revive dying lakes, rescue #pollinators, restore #soils + cool overheated humansโ€”all while producing more power than conventional solar arrays."

"In 1982, researchers @ the #FraunhoferInstitute for Solar Energy (ISE) in Germany proposed a... solution..."

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2301355120

1A Remaking America: Can solar power help fix drought-ravaged farmlands? | 1A

We go to California to hear about the possibilities of solar farming.

WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio

@KLB @HistoPol @kellogh

We are woefully behind in all areas of solar. What sell here? House panels that are marked up substantially. Just make money, and while they help, they aren't solving the bigger issue.

@Sfwmson @HistoPol @kellogh we still expect individuals to do the heavy lifting (like with recycling), when the problem area is farther upstream.

Part 2: #SolutionsForClimateChange: #Agrivoltaics

(1/8)
IMO, combining the new solar-panel-above fields method* with ancient raised-field #WaruWaru #farming #technology could facilitate #WaterConservation and management, raise yields, reduce #fertilizer concentration, and reduce #erosion.

The solution to our current #drought problems in many areas might have been with us for 2,300 years at least, probably first developed by the #Tiahuanaco culture of the #Andean...

*See previous toot (Part 1)

(2/8)

...highlands of #Bolivia + #Peru.
Raised-field agriculture has also been used in countries like #China, #Mexico + #Morocco.

#WaruWaru also stems #desertification + creates a cooling (+warming during the night) #microclimate when combined w/ the #SolarPanels, similar to the #irrigated #gardens created by the Muslims, e.g. in the #Alhambra in #Andalucia. In combination with the solar panels. Jointly with the building of #Roman type #cisterns, #agriculture might even be extended to years..

@HistoPol Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday! We need to look to #AncientTechnology as well as modern technology!

@DoomsdaysCW

Yes, this is what this thread is about.

Apart from water ๐Ÿ’ฆ management, harnessing the wind for. cooling purposes has already been invented a long time ago, the #Windcatcher|s  in the #IrNuan oasis City of #Yazd with its #Badgirs (#wind towers):

https://mastodon.social/@HistoPol/112339727207158953

Needless to say, Roman and Pharaonic technologies, too.

Very cool, @HistoPol ! I love it!!!

@DoomsdaysCW

*Adapting to #Desertification*
#ClimateChange

(1/n)

Me, too. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Let me tell you, too, that I think I remember watching a video of.. the only modern-day further delopment of this ancient #ClimateTechnology that I'm aware of 1)--is a video clip or TV documentary that showcased a trial of a #Madrid university.

As huge parts of #Spain and...

2)
elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2025-11-27/primer-atlas-de-la-desertificacion-en-espana-mas-del-40-del-territorio-esta-amenazado.html

@DoomsdaysCW

...@DoomsdaysCW

*Adapting to #Desertification*
#ClimateChange

(2/n)

...probably the whole #Iberian peninsula, including most of the #CanaryIslands, are @ risk of #Desertification 2), (passive) #CoolingTechnology has become a survival-critical instrument for the inevitable adaptation.
Needless to say, far too little is being done about it.

2)
Here is a translation of the title and abstract of the renowned daily, #ElPaรญs,...

@HistoPol @DoomsdaysCW Yikes. ๐Ÿ˜ž