About Agri-Solar
The Clean Energy Council’s Australian Guide to Agrisolar 2021 explains why crop performance is improved under solar panels
REDUCED EXPOSURE TO SUN AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
Although the panels create shade for the crops, plants only require a fraction of the incident sunlight to reach their maximum rate of photosynthesis and eventually a photosynthesis saturation point is reached. Surplus sunlight does not boost photosynthesis after light saturation point, and too much sunlight hinders crop growth and can cause damage to the crop. The coverage provided by the panels also protects from extreme weather events, which are likely to become more frequent with climate change.
Source: Clean Energy Council Australian Guide to Agrisolar Large Scale Solar
SOIL MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE
The shade provided by solar panels reduces water evaporation and increases soil moisture, which is particularly beneficial in hot, dry environments. Depending on the level of shade, water savings of 14-29 per cent have been observed. By reducing moisture evaporation, the solar panels also alleviate soil erosion.
In Germany, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems’ study known as APV-RESOLA found that soil temperature is also reduced on particularly hot days.
Source: Clean Energy Council Australian Guide to Agrisolar Large Scale Solar
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
The lower the height of the structure supporting the panels, the more pronounced the microclimate, according to findings from APV-RESOLA. Studies indicate that daily air temperature under the panels can differ depending on the location and the technology. One study in Arizona found temperatures under the panels were around 1.2°C lower during the day and around 0.5°C warmer at night. This Arizona study and the German APV-RESOLA study, found that there was more moisture in the air under the panels compared to the controlled, open sky planting area.
Source: Clean Energy Council Australian Guide to Agrisolar Large Scale Solar
"Agri-PV allows for solar to be combined with specific rural and agricultural activities, providing solutions to the needs of farmers and rural communities by driving investments and creating jobs in rural areas, supporting traditional and sustainable agricultural practices, or increasing the climate resilience of agricultural activities"
Source: The World (2018) Energy and food together: under solar panels, crops thrive
Read the full report: Clean Energy Council Australian Guide to Agrisolar Large Scale Solar