Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining solar panels with agricultural activities, can have varying impacts on crop yields depending on several factors such as the type of crops, solar panel arrangement, and how light is managed.
Positive Impacts
- Increased Efficiency: Agrivoltaics can reduce soil water evaporation by up to 30%, potentially benefiting crops in dry conditions.
- Selective Crops: Some crops like potatoes have shown higher yields under agrivoltaics in certain studies, suggesting that careful selection and placement of crops can lead to increased productivity.
- Enhanced Resource Efficiency: Agrivoltaics can improve land-use efficiency by allowing for both energy production and food cultivation on the same land, which can be particularly beneficial in regions with limited land availability.
Negative Impacts
- Impact of Shading: Crops under solar panels often experience reduced sunlight, which can lead to decreased growth rates and lower yields. For example, a study noted that even a small coverage of solar panels can cause significant yield losses.
- Crop Sensitivity: Some crops, like rice, are highly sensitive to shading and may experience significant yield reductions when grown under solar panels.
- Infrastructure Limitations: The infrastructure needed for solar panels, such as posts and cables, can further reduce usable land area for farming, contributing to potential yield losses.
Overall, while agrivoltaics offers promising opportunities for combined energy and food production, careful planning and analysis are crucial to mitigate potential negative impacts on crop yields and ensure that the benefits of this approach are maximized.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-agrovoltaics-impact-crop-yields/
