In Oracle, Arizona, a garden thriving under shade from solar panels demonstrates the benefits of agrivoltaics, where agriculture and solar energy intersect. Greg Barron-Gafford studies this practice, finding that crops like artichokes, herbs, and garlic prosper from reduced heat stress due to the shade provided. Despite its advantages, Arizona remains slow in adopting agrivoltaics due to challenges such as state policies and skepticism from both farmers and utilities. Barron-Gafford aims to promote its potential to enhance agriculture and energy generation.
Agrivoltaics is often touted as a win-win for both solar generation and agriculture, especially in summer. Shade reduces crops' heat stress and helps farmers.
The garden's vitality was thanks to the 30 3-meter-high solar panels overhead, which provide crucial shade that keeps the crops underneath from drying out.
Collection
[
|
...
]