Robert2737 t1_iu97q6u wrote
Can u grow crops between panels?
giuliomagnifico OP t1_iu98fq1 wrote
I don’t think but a good way to use the space near the solar panels is to use the land as grazing space for goats/cows/sheep/etc… because it’s cold during the summer (not direct sunlight) and the condensation creates water droplets that slip to the ground and help the grass!
I read it on another study: https://extension.umn.edu/news/solar-panels-shade-grazing-pasture
[deleted] t1_iuau7if wrote
[removed]
skyfishgoo t1_iucv8wh wrote
not goats.
goats are evil.
giuliomagnifico OP t1_iucvin2 wrote
Chupacabras are evil, goat are funny, jus a bit stinky
irongamer t1_iu9m74k wrote
Depends on the location and install, but agrovoltaics is getting increasingly more attention. Like this project that is breaking ground in Oregon.
Plasma_Keystrokes t1_iu9h9tk wrote
My thought is indigenous plants and beehives
chris92315 t1_iu9j4yy wrote
You can grow crops between and under panels. Look up agrovoltaics.
Sands43 t1_iu9mfq5 wrote
There are crops that can be grown under them. Ones that require hand harvesting like some fruits.
screwhammer t1_iua4gk3 wrote
You can, but you're gonna have to put tiny humans instead of wide machines to harvest them, you're gonna have to design some special irrigation that won't damage the panels, and you're gonna have to account for people occasionallt banging with sharp tools against glass or cutting cables.
That's gotta be some expensive crop to maintain.
Miserable-Expert-119 t1_iu9z0av wrote
Yes. There are a few articles scatted about the internet on this subject. There seems to be success with crops growing in areas that would be normally too hot and sunny. Pilot testing shows crops like strawberries do well. Irrigation can be cut back a bit has evaporation is a bit less. The tricky bit would be mechanizing this kind of agriculture without having to design new machines that can work between the rows and under the panels. Doable but may need work. However, if one owned a house with a decent yard it would make more sense to install a panel array in your garden. For instance your roof is not likely to be at both the optimum angle or direction for the sun. In your garden the mounts can be set at the optimum angle and optimum direction. Panels are cheaper to install on the ground than on a roof. Panels run cooler on the ground so you get that extra 1 or 2 % of power. You can clean the panels yourself by squeegeeing instead of hiring somebody to go up on the roof.
getdafuq t1_iuaactp wrote
In some places it’s actually a great place to grow crops that can’t handle getting blasted by the sun all day.
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