Researchers find a productive method for growing crops underneath solar panels
Researchers find a productive method for growing crops underneath solar panels
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USA: A technology developed by researchers at the University of California, Davis, could increase the effectiveness of agrovoltaic systems, which are used to grow crops under solar panels.

In their research, they found that the blue part of the spectrum is better for producing solar energy, while the red wavelengths of light are more effective for growing plants.

Eight billion people now live on the planet, which has a significant impact on food security. According to a study published in the journal Earth's Future, at a time when arable land is rapidly disappearing, understanding how plants respond to different light spectra is important for designing systems that improve water use and food production. Balances sustainable land management.

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For different light spectra, the researchers developed a photosynthesis and transpiration model. This model accurately simulated how different plants react to different light spectra under controlled laboratory conditions, including lettuce, basil and strawberry.

The analysis showed that the red spectrum could be harnessed to grow food while the blue part of the spectrum was best suited for solar power generation.

According to Abu Najm, co-author of the study, we cannot feed two billion more people in 30 years while maintaining our current water-use practices. We need change, not incremental change.

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If we look at the sun as a resource, we can create shade, generate electricity and grow crops in its shade. KWHs grow as a secondary crop that you can harvest

This hypothesis was tested once again on tomato. A control crop was grown without cover while some plants were grown in blue and red filters.

It was found that the covered plots produced about a third less than the control, and the filters reduced crop waste and heat stress. However, the control group had roughly twice as many rotten tomatoes.

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But there are some problems. According to the study's findings, "the plant response to different light treatments is most likely species-specific," which suggests that wavelength-selective agrovoltaic systems may need to take into account different types of crops and crops. Harvesting may also require some consideration. On the plus side, the study's findings may guide interest in agriculture globally and point to potential applications.

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