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Solar panels are also being used in the agricultural industry to conserve vital natural resources. Farming necessitates a large amount of freshwater.
Fremont, CA: As eco-consumer rates in the US rise, various industries are looking for ways to reduce emissions. The agricultural sector is a major polluter, necessitating technological advancement to improve sustainability. Environmentalists are investigating the potential benefits of using solar power to support agriculture.
The link between renewables and agriculture also lends support to President Joe Biden's Build Back Better initiative. Using clean electricity, his administration hopes to achieve national carbon neutrality by 2040. Farmers who install solar panels can increase food production while also powering the emission-free electric grid.
The farming industry also has an impact on the environment by exploiting natural lands and resources. Crop overproduction consumes a lot of water, erodes the soil, and depletes the soil's nutrient levels. Covering farmland and water sources with solar panels can boost clean energy production while also promoting land conservation for agricultural development.
Floatovoltaic-covered Canals
Solar panels are also being used in the agricultural industry to conserve vital natural resources. Farming necessitates a large amount of freshwater. As global temperatures rise, the rate of evaporation increases, leaving regions in a prolonged drought.
Environmental engineers and scientists devised a long-term solution by installing panels over canals. Solar systems will be installed over the water sources that support California's farms, according to agricultural professionals. The project is expected to save nearly 65 billion gallons of water per year by reducing evaporation effects, according to the researchers.
Covering Low-light Plants
Farmers are struggling to grow many light- and heat-intolerant crops as global temperatures rise. Shade is required for high-demand vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli, leaf lettuce, spinach, squash, and others to reach optimal growth cycles. Farmers can use solar panels to shade their low-light plants, increasing yield abundance.
Agrivoltaics is a term coined by environmentalists to describe farming processes that use solar panels. The panels protect the crops from light-related damage because the plants perspire, which cools the solar systems. When renewable devices overheat, their efficiency decreases, allowing low-light crops to maintain their production rates.
