The sun's boundless energy has helped farmers produce crops for millennia, but a new trend has appeared as the 21st century roars into life. Farmers everywhere are contacting commercial solar installers to learn how they can use their land for more purposes. Many have worries, though, that "double-dipping" like this may lead to issues later on.
Allow us to waylay those fears. With solar technology, you can turn your fields into more efficient moneymakers without a drop in crop quality. Allow us to explain how and learn more about this shift toward solar farming.
Agrovoltaics have come a long way since the word first appeared. Over the decades, we have learned much more about better panel placement, maintenance schedules, and so much more. We have even seen better crop yields from several crops that prefer a small amount of shade, including celery, tomatoes, and corn.
As solar panels for farmers appear in a region, we will also start to see a drastic reduction in the burning of many carbon-producing fuels. With enough of a drop, the air and ground quality will improve, benefiting crop growth.
The use of solar panels can provide more consistency in the growth of your crops and thus less wastage when it comes to harvest time. As you can feed the power you generate into supplemental systems, such as LED plant lighting, you can ensure they get all the light they need. This allows you to offset any difficulties due to the changing climate caused by the overuse of fossil fuels.
At the same time, by lowering your energy costs, you can instead invest in higher-quality seeds and better equipment. In the long run, the benefits of solar energy far outstrip any other consideration.
With a full solar farm, you will have complete energy independence. Even in remote locations, you will not need to rely on outside help for access to an electrical grid. Thus, you can ensure your farm runs as it should and not worry about light or heat.
With the right equipment, such a system can even sustain itself and your growing crops. Recycling any excess heat from panels, your farm can start to gather fresh water from the air and then cool overheating panels down. In some cases, you may even be able to water your crops with solar-powered and self-sustaining irrigation systems.
The modern world demands ethical produce. With the public perceiving fossil fuels as more of a hindrance to society every year, showing yourself as an advocate of green energy can only help.
Agricultural practices are changing all the time. As an experienced farmer, you will know you must move with the times if you want a slice of the pie. As such, it might be worth talking to a commercial solar installer to see what they can offer you.
Here at Transform Energy, we hold sustainable solar energy as a cornerstone of our business. We understand how to collect the power of the sun while also boosting your farm's capabilities. So, get in contact today and discuss how we can combine these two disparate crops into one opportunity for you.