Solar panels can cool crops—and workers
Photovoltaic technology, most commonly seen as bulky solar panels used on solar farms, is expected to become a dominant energy source by 2050. But these panels are often installed on land that might otherwise be used to grow crops and feed a burgeoning population.
Solar panels not only generate clean energy but also provide a cooling effect for crops and their workers. Agrivoltaics, the practice of integrating crops around or beneath solar panels, aims to maximize land use efficiency. Recent research reveals that carefully designed agrivoltaic systems can yield benefits for both agriculture and clean energy production.
A study published in the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems has developed a new model that simulates the microclimates beneath solar panels. This model considers the interactions among solar panels, crops, soil, air, water movement, and carbon dioxide uptake. By tracking how energy, momentum, and mass move within the agrivoltaic system, the researchers can assess the cooling effects on both plants and workers.
The model was tested using data from agrivoltaic sites in Davis, Calif., and Chicago City, Minn., as well as weather data from a hot, humid day in Princeton, N.J. The results showed that tomatoes grown under solar panels experienced an average leaf temperature that was 1.84°C cooler throughout the day, with peak cooling of up to 7.56°C. This reduction in temperature led to a 22.4% decrease in water loss through evapotranspiration.
Interestingly, even though the simulated crops received 47% less sunlight, their carbon uptake declined by only 31%. This suggests that the more temperate conditions created by the solar panels lowered heat stress and partially offset the effects of increased shade on carbon uptake.
Moreover, the solar panels themselves were 5.6°C cooler during the daytime than panels in bare soil. This temperature reduction allowed the panels to recover about 15% of the efficiency lost due to higher temperatures. Importantly, the average perceived temperature for humans working in these agrivoltaic systems decreased by 4.46°C, indicating significant occupational health and safety benefits for farmworkers.
The researchers believe that their model can be used to evaluate the potential benefits of agrivoltaic farms and other combinations of climate and crops. This innovative approach not only addresses land use conflicts but also offers a practical solution to reduce crop heat stress and improve worker conditions, while simultaneously increasing energy production.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
