How can farmers benefit from solar energy?

Farmers can benefit from solar energy in several ways—by leasing farmland for solar; installing a solar system on a house, barn, or other building; or through agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is defined as agriculture, such as crop production, livestock grazing, and pollinator habitat, located underneath solar panels and/or between rows of solar panels.

Why should you choose a solar farm over agrivoltaics?

Finally, the solar farm has reduced maintenance costs because livestock can keep the grass short. All this is achieved while the solar panels provide locally generated, clean energy. However, if they’re not set up properly, agrivoltaics may still cause problems.

Can agrivoltaic projects benefit farmers?

Agrivoltaic projects can benefit farmers by giving them a second crop: electric power. Or, farmers can pick up some extra cash by leasing their land to power companies that will install their own solar panels on the site. Although the idea behind agrivoltaics has been around for decades, interest among farmers has picked up only recently.

Are solar panels a good idea for farmers?

Emerging data, he says, show that even as the solar panels go in overhead, farmers must protect the natural processes that help plants grow. “That can do a lot of good,” he says. “Otherwise, it’s really hard to cheat nature.” Agrivoltaics merges agriculture with photovoltaic panels, which generate electricity from sunlight.

Can solar panels be used on farms?

Installing solar panels on farms helps solve another major problem: finding the space to collect enough sunlight to produce a bounty of electricity. Farmers can help by sharing their land, says Jordan Macknick. An environmental scientist, he works at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, or NREL. It’s in Golden, Colo.

Is agrivoltaics right for your farm?

Agrivoltaics isn’t about choosing between solar and crops—it’s about harvesting both. With smart tech, savvy mounts, and a partner who knows panels inside out, your farm can generate clean energy, juicier strawberries, and a whole lot of bragging rights.