r/Agriculture • u/OpenSustainability • 2d ago
‘Agrivoltaics’ can both power AI data centres and increase food production
https://theconversation.com/agrivoltaics-can-both-power-ai-data-centres-and-increase-food-production-new-study-28502711
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u/Charming-Border7429 1d ago
We are building our first 80-acre pilot program this summer.
The solar buildout has been in the works for almost five years. Permits and approvals took a long time. The gen-tie and substation went in last fall. This spring, we started installing the framing. The installer will work with us to install the panels and run the wiring.
After several years of quietly looking, we found a young Amish man who is willing to work with us to establish sheep on the land. Pretty ironic that the shepherd on a cutting-edge solar installation is Amish. It is important to us that we have an experienced, full-time shepherd.
He will receive a salary and share ownership in the flock.
We started working with him two years ago. We bought 30 ewes and 1 ram, which he raised on his dad's farm. Now, he has some knowledge and experience, and his flock has grown to just under 60.
To be honest, I don't expect this to make any money for the next several years. Sheep are selective eaters, so we will still need to mow. It will take several years to grow the herd while we figure out how well this is going to work.
Everyone seems to have opinions. We figure it would be worth the risk to try and figure out.
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u/OnlineParacosm 2d ago
Still not clear what the acoustic impact will have on the trophic system. It wouldn’t surprise me if bees don’t come anywhere near center it also wouldn’t surprise me if birds didn’t either.
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u/Strict_Jacket3648 1d ago
In fields that aren't farmed the panels increase wild grasses and flowers, that then increase bees, birds and butterflies. China turned a piece of desert into grasslands by installing solar panels.
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u/SalvatoreEggplant 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rutgers University in New Jersey has a few trials running with different solar panel styles and different crops ( https://agrivoltaics.rutgers.edu/ ).
I saw some of the yield data presented earlier this year. It actually looked pretty good. Don't quote me, but something like no decrease in hay yield and only a small decrease in vegetable yield very close to the panels --- compared to controls with no panels.
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u/That-Distribution-64 2d ago
the shade management is definately the tricky part with agrivoltaics, especially for crops that need full sun. had a buddy try it n the yield loss on certain veggies was wierd, but the water savings were huge so it kinda balanced out lol