Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics
New Solutions, Intersections in Alternative Ag
The co-existence of solar energy production and food farming could just be getting started as "solar farms" become more sophisticated.
In Indiana, a new approach -- requiring the planting of pollinator-friendly plants like wildflowers and clover, in addition to native grasses. It was the first such mandate in state history.
In Minnesota, a solar site uses a diverse mix of pollinator-friendly native flowers and grasses, and is co-located with a collection of beehives.
Across the US, “community solar projects” are starting up and growing — smaller solar arrays (less than five megawatts) typically built on leased farmland.
Solar farms with plants can also become fodder for “solar grazers,” like at the Nexamp community solar project in Newfield, New York, where about 150 sheep are “deployed” to prevent plants from growing tall and interfering with the solar panels.
Natural grazing also encourages grass regrowth, increases manure nutrients to the soil, and avoids the costs and pollution of mowing.
Meanwhile, new approaches are promising to expand the species of plants that can be grown at solar sites. The U.S. Department of Energy is experimenting with “agrivoltaics” — for example, raising solar panels higher off the ground to enable food crops to be grown in the shade underneath.
~