Hello all my solar enthusiasts out there! Today, I’m offering up the inside scoop on some fascinating new research emerging from Colorado State University that brilliantly melds solar technology with agriculture.
Picture this: Fields decked out not just in veggies ripe for the picking, but also bedecked with solar panels turning the sun’s energy into electricity. This visual is part of the innovative exploration of the future sustainability of our planet. Truly a mingling of green goals.
Here’s what these Colorado scientists did: In what is, to my knowledge, the first research experiment of its kind, they evaluated different types of solar modules according to their transparency. This essentially equates to how much sunlight they let through to the vegetation growing beneath them. The solar modules tested included those with transparencies of 40%, 5%, and even 0%.
Within two growing seasons, they cultivated six types of vegetable crops under these solar modules with varying levels of transparency. An array of vegetables were planted, from jalapeño peppers to lettuce, bell peppers, summer squash, and two types of tomatoes.
As a solar professional, I’m well-versed in the specs and inner workings of solar panel modules, but this innovative use must have many solar companies excited about the new possibilities. The solar panels were set at a 35-degree position facing south, an optimal angle for sun absorption. But enough about that; let’s get to the juicy findings!
The results were fascinating. All module types resulted in lower yields for the summer squash compared to the same squash grown under full-sun conditions. However, when it comes to the other vegetables, the crops grown under the 40% transparent module (remember, that’s the one that lets the most light through to the crops below) yielded the same or even higher returns than those under full sun.
These findings indicate that optimizing a solar array for home use could mean having your very own veggie garden thriving under a canopy of semi-transparent solar panels. Imagine the benefit of producing clean energy while nurturing your own homegrown produce, and you’ll see why solar panels for your home are becoming increasingly popular.
In this context, solar companies and soil-tilling green thumbs could develop mutually beneficial relationships. It’s undeniably clear that solar is morphing into an integral part of our everyday lives, from lighting up homes to potentially helping our gardens grow.
The study poses some critical questions, like understanding how these crops work under the different light settings and how this impacts their growth. The research also paves the path for more robust investigations into analyzing these new systems’ economic viability.
All in all, a solar array for home breweries, wineries, and vegetable greenhouses could soon be on the horizon. As we continue to recognize solar as a sustainable solution, this is certainly a blossoming field to watch.
And that’s all for now! Stay tuned for more insights and exciting trends in the solar industry, folks. The possibilities are as bright as the sun!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/08/22/the-impact-of-semi-transparent-solar-modules-on-agrivoltaics-yield/
