Clean energy, but also water conservation and protection of agriculture thanks toagrivoltaic.
This is according to a new study, published on Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviewsby a research group at the University of Sheffield.
This study presented evidence of electricity generation, food production and water conservation via agrivoltaic systems in Tanzania and Kenya, demonstrating the feasibility of these systems for both grid-connected agricultural enterprises and off-grid rural communities. The performance of some crops has improved under agrivoltaic systems, generating higher incomes for farmers and agricultural businesses while reducing energy bills.
Corn, chard and beans thrive in the shade of solar panels. The study’s title confirms this “Harvesting the sun twice: Energy, food and water benefits from agrivoltaics in East Africa”, conducted by an international team which also saw the participation of the University of Arizona, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF).
The research confirmed that the coverage offered by the panels helped reduce water loss through evaporation, while the rainwater collected by them was used to supplement irrigation needs.
With the shading created by the solar panels, a microclimate formed that helped some crops produce more, but also made them more capable of surviving heat waves. Additionally, the shade helped conserve water, crucial in a region threatened by climate change.
In addition to increasing crop yields and conserving water, the study showed that agrivoltaics can also provide a reliable source of clean energy for rural communities. Off-grid solar systems can power homes, businesses and agricultural equipment, improving the quality of life for many people.
Additionally, vegetation growing under a solar panel has been shown in various studies to keep the panel cooler, thus allowing electricity to be generated more efficiently.
A multifunctional approach that shows the potential to increase food production, generate clean energy and optimize irrigation.
