How Solar plus Agriculture Farming is becoming a game changer

This video aims to describe how the combination of solar and agriculture is becoming very important in combating climate change.
We will take a look at the term "agricvoltaic" and its benefits. Furthermore, we will delve into a few real-life examples of the use of agrovoltaic.
What is Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics, also sometimes called agrophotovoltaics, agrisolar, or dual-use solar, is a way to get the most out of land by combining solar energy production with agriculture.
Solar panels are set up on farms, but at a height that allows crops to grow underneath. This can be good for both the crops and the solar panels.
The panels can provide some shade for the crops, which helps them in hot weather, and they can also help to keep the soil moist. In some cases, agrivoltaics can even increase crop yields.
Benefits of Agrivoltaics
Co-locating solar panels with crop or livestock farming offers a multitude of benefits for both solar developers and agricultural land managers. For solar developers, one significant advantage lies in reduced installation costs.
By utilizing previously tilled agricultural land, the need for expensive land grading to achieve a usable level is eliminated. Moreover, the presence of vegetation beneath the solar panels can lower soil temperatures, thereby enhancing the performance of the photovoltaic systems. This synergy not only reduces upfront costs but also boosts PV efficiency.
Furthermore, such collaborations accelerate the energy transition by engaging with land managers in rural areas, potentially expanding the utilization of lands for renewable energy purposes.
This alignment fosters closer ties between the solar industry and the agricultural sector, mitigating conflicts and garnering greater acceptance for solar projects within farming communities.
Additionally, co-locating solar and farming activities reduces upfront geotechnical and legal risks, as previously disturbed land minimizes the need for extensive testing and lowers the likelihood of litigation during environmental reviews.
From the perspective of agricultural land managers, co-location offers compelling benefits as well. These include reduced electricity costs through agreements with developers to allocate a portion of generated electricity to the land or surrounding areas.
Diversification of revenue streams is also facilitated, enhancing the financial resilience of agricultural operations.
Moreover, the shading provided by PV panels creates an environment conducive to growing high-value, shade-resistant crops, expanding market opportunities and potentially extending growing seasons.
This arrangement enables continued crop production during solar generation and allows for nutrient and land recharge, particularly beneficial for degraded lands.
Additionally, co-location holds promise for water use reduction, aligning with sustainability goals and appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
Overall, the co-location of solar and agricultural activities presents a win-win scenario, fostering economic, environmental, and social benefits for all stakeholders involved.