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Largest Farm to Grow Crops Under Solar Panels Proves To Be A Bumper Crop For Agrivoltaic Land Use (site.extension.uga.edu)

submitted 2 years ago by L4s@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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Largest Farm to Grow Crops Under Solar Panels Proves To Be A Bumper Crop For Agrivoltaic Land Use::undefined

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[–] fireweed@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Possibly a stupid question, but is there anything toxic in the solar panels or their infrastructure that could contaminate the plants or soil below? Particularly if the panels were damaged in, say, extreme weather, but also as a result of general wear and tear. I'm thinking heavy metal dust, carcinogenic liquid components, that sort of thing. As per the article this seems like it could be a good land use pairing, but not if it renders the soil unfit for agriculture due to a buildup of contamination.

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[–] oolio@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I guess it would depend on the crops, but wouldn't it somewhat limit the use of farming equipment. I assume you're not going to fit a tractor in the field with those panels and supports.

[–] charliespider@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

There's lots of startups making smaller agile AI powered electric robotics for agriculture. Would pair well with a farm like this.

[–] Serisar@feddit.de 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It depends on the type of supporting structure for the panels. In Germany a company built it tall enough to use their normal farm equipment: Image

I've seen pictures of massive tractors pulling several ploughs side by side in the US, that would most likely not work with this, but there are plenty of solutions for anything on a slightly smaller scale.

[–] fhqwgads@possumpat.io 1 points 2 years ago

The original story from NPR says that they're able to drive their tractor between the panels. It's interesting that the project could essentially be described as an end run around a historic designation though. They put 1.2 MW of solar up, and from reading between the lines it seems that's how they're making money, the farming seems to be much more of a side thing that they're required to do for historic reasons.

[–] evranch@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 years ago

It's usually permanent pasture grazing that's mixed with solar panels. Take low value land that doesn't support the use of large equipment, add value with panels and get free shade for livestock.

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