Grass Under Solar Panels

The researchers planted wheat potatoes celeriac.

Grass under solar panels.

Low impact development of solar installations could be win win win for food water and renewable energy. They found that areas under the solar panels had a different microclimate than exposed areas. The researchers planted wheat potatoes celeriac and clover grass in the open and under the panels and compared the yields. Tall weeds growing around the installation can create shading which can negatively impact system production.

Beneath solar panels the seeds of opportunity sprout. Bp s solar subsidiary is on the hunt for. On a humid overcast day in central minnesota a dozen researchers crouch in the grass between rows of photovoltaic pv solar panels. Farmers also have another option.

Lightsource bp is working with a seed company in norfolk to find the most reflective grass type to grow underneath the double sided solar panels. Sheep can take the place of lawnmowers and as the grass sucks up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Solar shading decreased production 5 3 percent to 19 percent. The plants also had more nutritional value.

The institute elevated 720 solar panels high enough for farm machinery to harvest plants underneath and nearby according to a 2017 press release. Shaded areas were 328 percent more water efficient and maintained higher soil moisture throughout the heat of summer. The institute elevated 720 solar panels high enough for farm machinery to harvest plants underneath and nearby according to a 2017 press release. Grazing sheep or cattle on grass grown under solar panels.

Weed or vegetation management is particularly important for ground mounted solar systems. Higgins and co author elnaz hassanpour adeh had previously published research showing that solar panels increase agricultural production on dry unirrigated farmland. That led to twice as much grass under the arrays as in the unshaded areas.