Solar Panel Shading Makes Huge Agricultural Differences!
Curious about how solar panels impact growth in fields? Can solar panels really increase crop productivity? I just receive some fascinating news in my inbox about the advantages of solar panel shading in dry hot climates that makes me shake my head and say, "Man! Why didn't I think of that??" While this research was done in Kenya, can you imagine how this research might also be useful in arid areas like Mexico, or Arizona?
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Kenya Solar Farm Research Fields Increased Yields
Solar panel use in fields has promising results for a new kind of farming: agrivoltaics. Solar research conducted by Sheffield University, World Agroforestry and Kenya's Latia Agripreneurship Institute has had some astounding results. The researchers found crops in a semi-arid area under solar panels not only grew one third larger than surrounding crops, but they were more nutritious too!. No, this is not some weird science of electric waves saving the crops. It is all about shading!
Agrivoltaic Solar Farming Design Next Steps
While the above solar panel research conducted in a semi-arid area 90 minutes from Nairobi studied the effects of solar panel shading on cabbages, aubergines and lettuce. It could be conjectured that similar results might be possible in other areas and with other crops. The research procedure could be relatively easy to reproduce. Vegetables in control plots grown around the solar panels were given the same amount of water and fertilizer. Findings showed that the solar panels created enough shade to help the test subjects' soil retain vital moisture.
Can you imagine the positive impact this could have on the world's food supply, or at least for areas where there is lots of sun, but little rain?
This is definitely an experiment that bears repeating again and again!
The above information was gleaned and upcycled from the following sources:
- Imagine newsletter –02/23/2022 - a weekly synthesis of academic insight on solutions to climate change, brought to you by The Conversation. edited by Jack Marley, Environment Commissioning Editor
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About This Author
Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She writes on a number of blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su
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