Agricultural production under solar panels

Solar farm New Hampshire Gazette

One of the trade offs with solar energy production is the large land area needed for solar production. Farmers are beginning to experiment with various designs to combine solar production with agricultural land use.  In New Hampshire as reported in the New Hampshire Gazette a configuration with the panels 9 feet in the air and five feet apart results in yield reductions of 5 to 10% when compared to the unobstructed areas in front of the panels. The area below can also be used for livestock grazing land. The poles are anchored 8 feet below the surface.

Photo courtesy of Prairie Restoration Inc.

In Ramsey, Minnesota, as reported in Ensia, combining bee hives with a solar panel installation by Connexusenergy also works. The bees provide pollination to the nearby fields and produce honey. In Ramsey Minnesota Bolton Bees combine solar panels with honey production. They have even gone into the craft beer business producing Solarama Crush.

Sustainenergy - Japan

In Japan, Farmers are using the shade from the solar panels to produce cloud ear mushrooms that would have formerly been imported from China.  Combining mycology and solar energy exemplifies sustainable mycology.