Brilliant way to grow crops and get green energy
Technology is proving that farmland can be used both for growing crops at the same time as providing green energy.
“Some people think that putting solar panels in fields is reducing the amount of land we need to grow our own food,” says Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox. “But that is not true with the new science of agrivoltaics (Agri-PV), or as it is also known as agrophotovoltaics.”
He said that now solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can be put on elevated structures or cables several metres above the farmland. This allows crops to be grown underneath or livestock to be reared at the same time as generating renewable electricity.
“It is a brilliant solution,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd, on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park. “By integrating these two industries, it provides increased yields from crops that thrive in the shade at the same time as producing green energy, so providing a double income for farmers.”
The system is designed so the panels protect crops and livestock from intense sun, hail, and drought, while the solar panels generate energy which can be sold to an energy supplier and then sent to the National Grid.
Ron said one of the drawbacks of solar energy had been the amount of land necessary for solar panels to capture an optimal amount of sunlight. To overcome this some solar panels were put on buildings where they could harvest energy from the sun without taking up too much land.
Now, agrivoltaics takes this idea a step further by using agricultural land to harness solar power while at the same time growing food.
Ron said there were many other benefits from agrivoltaics.
- As well as boosting business for farmers, it also means supplying clean energy to rural areas and increasing the value of local communities.
- It reduces the use of dirty energy sources that pollute the air and overheat the planet.
- Combining solar panels and farming on one plot of land increases the productivity of the land by 60 per cent without compromising the production of either food or energy.
- Reducing exposure to direct sunlight allows plants to retain water, which means crops require less irrigation.
- This efficient use of land can help agriculture in areas around the world with unreliable power and water sources to grow food and provide clean solar energy.
- Solar panels and crops mutually benefit from agri-PV systems. The shade from solar panels helps agricultural crop productivity during harsh summer months. By lowering the air temperature, crops help solar panels withstand the fierce heat and increase their productivity.
But Ron pointed out that Agri-PV isn’t a new idea — it was first developed in 1982. Since 2014, an estimated 2,200 agri-PV systems have been installed globally, mainly in the USA in Maine, Massachusetts and Colorado.
“Agrivoltaics is the future of farming,” concluded Ron. “It’s a brilliant win, win situation for farmers, as they can receive income from both their crops and the electricity generated,”
For those wanting more advice about using green energy on their farm and in their home, call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or go contact us here
Caption: A rich harvest at the double – growing crops at the same time as producing green energy.
