Source: News on Air
Context: The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) concluded in New Delhi, highlighting sustainable energy and agrivoltaic farming a practice that combines agriculture with solar energy generation on the same land.
About Agrivoltaic Farming:
- Definition: Agrivoltaic farming is the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar energy generation, allowing crops to grow beneath solar panels.
- Agrivoltaic farming working:
- Elevated panels: Solar panels are raised 2-3 meters, providing space for crops to grow beneath with adequate light and air.
- Angle and Spacing: Panels are angled and spaced to optimize sunlight for both solar energy and crop growth.
- Shade and Protection: Panels offer shade, reducing heat stress and protecting crops from harsh weather.
- Water conservation: Shading lowers evaporation, conserving soil moisture and reducing water needs.
- Greenhouse integration: Panels on greenhouse roofs allow light/rain for crops while generating energy.
- Dual harvesting: Utilizes land for both solar power and agriculture, maximizing energy and food production.
- Significance of Agrivoltaic Farming:
- Enhanced Land Use: Maximizes land efficiency by combining agriculture and solar energy production on the same land.
- Climate resilience: Provides shade to crops, reducing heat stress and water loss, and protecting from extreme weather.
- Renewable energy generation: Contributes to solar power expansion, supporting climate goals and energy needs.
- Increased food security: Supports sustainable food production for a growing population without needing additional land.
- Economic benefits: Enables farmers to diversify income through both crop production and solar energy revenue.
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