Will farming under solar panels take off?

9 comments

1. Why can’t we just have parking under solar panels.

   Edit: Great answers, thanks! I didn’t really consider the amount of power that’d have to be routed away. I just thought it’d be nice to park in the shade, and also I saw them do it at Lego Land Florida.

2. It’s win-win for the farmers. Of course this will be a thing.

3. its not required. if I build a project with the panels high enough to farm under my kWH’s cost more so the company buying the power buys the project without because its cheaper.

   if it were mandated in the bid, then all the projects would be competing with the same economic burden of the additional steel cost.

4. Ranch land makes more sense. Panels block large farm equipment, but aren’t a problem for animals. 

   And the shade reduces aridity and provides shelter. 

   There’s already a ton of solar ranches in Texas. 
   https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2023/02/01/how-ranching-and-solar-co-exist-in-texas/

5. Agrivoltaics is already happening worldwide and is definitely making its mark.

   Use cases vary with climate conditions and goals but the technology is very flexible.

6. Farming under wind turbines makes much more sense. Solar arrays can go on shitty degraded arid land that nobody wants – like Texas.

7. Who’s will farming and why is he in an aircraft under solar panels?

8. Simple and short answer is no

9. Works great with sheep. 2 of our project sites are currently with sheep, so putting the sheep back after the solar farm is. Built makes perfect sense.

   In dry regions the shade of the panels can help retain moisture and enhance gras growth as a result.

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