Harvest the sun twice: Agrivoltaics promises sustainable food, energy and water

Combining solar power production with agriculture can significantly boost crop yields, conserve water and generate low-carbon electricity for areas particularly vulnerable to climate change, a new study has shown. A new international study, led by the University of Sheffield, found using the same land for both solar energy production and agriculture can generate low-carbon electricity, improve crop yields and reduce water loss The method, known as agrivoltaics, offers a sustainable solution to the pressing challenges of food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy poverty By shading crops with solar panels, agrivoltaics creates a microclimate helping certain plants, like beans and maize, to thrive whilst needing less water irrigation Agrivoltaics can also provide a reliable source of clean energy for rural communities Combining solar power production with agriculture can significantly boost crop yields, conserve water and generate low-carbon electricity for areas particularly vul ... Read full article.