It’s been suggested that installing solar arrays over crops would not only generate significant amounts of power, but could benefit crops as well.
In a paper by researchers from Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute and Medha College of Engineering, India; the authors state solar panels installed in a chessboard-type pattern 5 metres above crops would still allow sufficient sunlight through and help to reduce UV-A and UV-B radiation when it is at its strongest.
“It is expected that this reduction in sunlight near noon time may help the plant to grow more and give better yield.”
The trick to this is in the spacing – based on computer modelling, the researchers have settled on 7.6 m or 11.4 m as the optimum space between panels.
“Thus it is a win-win situation for both the farmer and the power industry developer. The power generated from his land can be used by the farmer on priority. Excess energy from his land can be connected to the main power grid or to the micro grid such that his village is also benefited.”
The concept has been geared primarily towards farmers in India, where blackouts and electricity shortages are generally widespread; but the authors state it could be applied elsewhere.
The full paper, titled Solar Energy Generation Using Agriculture Cultivated Lands, can be viewed here (PDF).
While installing panels over crops may perhaps not be viable for Australian broadacre farms; most Australian farming operations also have extensive shedding. This is often prime rooftop real estate for solar panels. Land within a holding not suited to cropping or grazing can also be utilized for solar electricity production; allowing farmers to slash their power costs and in some cases, creating an extra revenue stream by exporting surplus power generated to the mains grid.
With abundant sunlight in most parts of Australia and commercial scale solar power offering a rapid payback period, solar power systems can be a wise low-maintenance investment for those making a living from the land.
