Agrivoltaic Farming

09.11.2024

Agrivoltaic Farming

Why in the news?

The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) culminated in New Delhi. During the site visit, the practical implementation of agrivoltaic systems was showcased to the delegates of various countries.

About Agri Voltaic Farming:

• It is the practice of growing crops underneath solar panels.
• The panels are positioned 2-3 meters off the ground and sit at an angle of 30 degrees, providing shade and offering crops protection from the weather.
• This farming primarily focuses on the simultaneous use of land for both agriculture and solar energy generation.
• It’s also sometimes referred to as Agri solar, dual-use solar, or low-impact solar.
• Solar panels have to sometimes be elevated or suspended to allow plants to grow beneath them.
• Another option is putting them on the roofs of greenhouses. This allows enough light and rainwater to reach the crops, as well as providing access to farm machinery.
• It uses poles or frames to mount solar panels on the ground, leaving space for crops to grow under or around them. Some solar panels can also rotate or form a canopy to adjust the amount of sunlight and shade on the crops.

Advantages of Agri Voltaic Farming:

• This increases land-use efficiency, as it lets solar farms and agriculture share ground, rather than making them compete against one another.
• And certain crops appear to thrive when grown in such environments, according to a number of recent studies.
• The shade from the panels protects vegetables from heat stress and water loss.

                                                                        Source: News on Air

Consider the following statements regarding the Agrivoltaic Farming:

1. It is the practice of growing crops underneath solar panels.

2. It reduces land-use efficiency because of solar panel usage in the farm.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer A