Dual-use solar offers several benefits by integrating solar energy production with other land uses, such as agriculture or ecology. Here are some of the key advantages:
Benefits of Dual-Use Solar
- Environmental Benefits:
- Carbon Sequestration: Dual-use solar can enhance the land’s potential for increased carbon sequestration by maintaining or improving vegetation cover.
- Erosion Prevention: The systems can help retain soil moisture, reduce erosion, and support biodiversity.
- Agricultural Benefits:
- Crop Yield Improvement: Agrivoltaic systems can improve crop yields by providing shade, which reduces soil temperature during the day and retains moisture. This can lead to increased yields in crops like potatoes, celery, and kale.
- Livestock Support: The shade from solar panels can reduce heat stress in livestock during summer.
- Economic Benefits:
- Income Diversification: Farmers can benefit from a steady income stream by leasing land for solar, which can supplement traditional agricultural income and provide economic security.
- Farmland Protection: Dual-use solar helps keep farmland in production, protecting it from permanent development while allowing farmers to maintain their agricultural activities.
- Social Benefits:
- Community Acceptance: By combining solar with agricultural or ecological uses, dual-use solar can reduce community concerns about traditional solar development, fostering greater social acceptance.
- Operational Benefits:
- Operations and Maintenance (O&M): Certain dual-use practices can simplify O&M tasks for solar companies by integrating maintenance activities with agricultural practices.
Overall, dual-use solar provides a win-win solution by combining clean energy production with sustainable land use, supporting both environmental and economic goals.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-dual-use-solar/
