Growing Crops Under Solar Panels? Now There’s a Bright Idea

wired.com

12 pointsmusesum3 comments

I guess this works for growing things like lettuce, but high-calorie plants generally need lots of sun. It also only works if you have manual harvesting or some way to move the panels. That, and it's not like we have a shortage of places to put PV panels. So it's OK with a big asterisk, but if I were a farmer, I'd rather put up and wind turbine and drive my tractor around it.

Why would you have to move the panels? If they're mounted high enough, just drive under them

My housemate's family grows wild rice in California. But, some land is now too dry. So, he is thinking of putting up solar panels.

Other farmers are experimenting with grazing animals like sheep. Intensive grazing (as per Allan Savory) may prevent, or even reverse, desertification. The shade helps mitigate the intense noonday sun in a warming climate.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com