A growing number of farms and agricultural businesses are looking to solar to power their daily operations. Consider these questions to help you determine what’s best for you and your farm.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CO-LOCATING SOLAR AND CROP PRODUCTION?
There are different benefits of co-locating solar and crop production for solar energy developers and farmers.
Benefits to solar developers include:
- Reduced installation costs – The use of previously tilled agricultural may prevent the need for expensive grading to flatten land to a usable level.
- Reduced upfront risk – Geotechnical risks can increase the cost of solar installation due to increased testing needs. Previously tilled agricultural land was identified as the “least risk option” during a series of surveys with solar installers.
- Reduced legal risk – By using previously disturbed land, solar installers can reduce the risk of up front litigation during the environmental review process.
- Potential increase PV performance – Vegetation under modules can contribute to lower soil temperatures and increase solar performance.
Benefits to agricultural land managers include:
- Reduced electricity costs
- Diversification of the revenue stream
- Increased ability to install high-value, shade- resistant crops for new markets
- Marketing opportunity to sustainability-mindful audience
- Ability to maintain crop production during solar generation
- Allow for nutrient and land recharge of degraded lands.
- Potential for water use reduction
- Potential to extend growing seasons
WILL SOLAR MODULES CONTAMINATE THE SOIL UNDERNEATH OR AROUND THEM?
Silicon-based PV cells are the most widespread solar photovoltaic technology used. Most solar panels have a glass front that protects the PV cell and an aluminum or steel frame. Research shows that “leaching of trace metals from modules is unlikely to present a significant risk due to the sealed nature of the installed cells.
Some solar modules use cadmium telluride (CdTe). Cadmium compounds are toxic, but studies show that such compounds cannot be emitted from CdTe modules during normal operation or even during fires. Industrial incineration temperatures, which are much higher than grassfires, are required to release the compounds from the modules.
CAN SOLAR MODULES CHANGE THE MICROCLIMATE UNDERNEATH THE MODULES AND WORSEN INVASIVE SPECIES, FUNGAL, NEMATODE OR OTHER PEST PROBLEMS?
There have been relatively few studies on microclimate effects under solar modules, but current research results show there is little to no average impact. Air temperatures tend to be cooler under the panels during the day and warmer under the panels at night. One study found that air temperature, humidity, and crop temperature under modules was similar to conditions of full sun. This study found that soil temperatures at night under the modules was less than that of soil temperatures in full sun all day. There have been no studies linking solar development with pest problems, but studies have shown how native plants can thrive underneath solar installations.
WILL SOLAR MODULES HEAT UP AND DRY OUT VEGETATION OR CROPS UNDER THE MODULES?
Solar modules will actually cool crops and vegetation underneath during the day due to shading, and keep them warmer at night. Studies have shown that these temperature differences cancel out and that mean daily crop temperatures were similar under modules compared to full sun crops and there was no impact on crop growth rates. Modules can provide farmers the ability to grow shade-tolerant crops and to diversify crop selection, while also extending growing seasons and reducing water requirements. One study found that shading from solar modules produced lettuce crop weight equal to or greater than lettuce grown in full sun.
CAN WILD ANIMALS LIKE ANTELOPE OR ELK GRAZE UNDER SOLAR MODULES?
Yes, however, if desired, a security fence can keep out larger animals if they are deemed to be a damage risk to the modules. Fencing can be built to accommodate smaller animals such as kit foxes. Areas beneath the modules can be reseeded to provide habitat and forage to pollinators, birds, and other small species.
CAN DOMESTICATED ANIMALS LIKE SHEEP OR CATTLE GRAZE AT GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR FACILITIES?
Sheep are commonly are being used for grazing for vegetation control at solar facilities in the United States and Europe as sheep do not climb on or harm the modules. Raising the PV modules in height is not necessary to accommodate grazing as vegetation is accessible beneath the modules at standard heights. Cattle grazing is generally not compatible with PV facilities due to the risk of damage to modules. Sheep grazing to control vegetation growth can benefit local shepherds, solar operators, and the land due to a reduction in mowing, herbicide, and other vegetation management needs.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SOLAR MODULES ON BIRDS OR OTHER WILDLIFE SPECIES?
Solar modules create an opportunity for avian interactions. PV modules are generally less reflective than windows and have been installed and monitored for avian impacts at numerous airports. Nonetheless, avian injuries and mortalities may occur through collisions with power lines, vehicles, fencing, and solar equipment and structures such as modules. There are some concerns that birds might misconstrue solar installations for bodies of water and attempt to land on them, but this has not been proven. A 2017 comprehensive survey of all solar and bird interactions in the UK determined that “bird collision risk from solar panels is very low. There is likely to be more of a collision risk to birds presented by infrastructure associated with solar PV developments, such as overhead power lines.
Solar modules require the use of other electrical equipment, such as inverters and connection boxes, which emit some noise. The frequency of most inverters is 50-60 Hz, the same as AC electricity in your home or commercial building, which is within the range audible to humans and well below the higher frequencies used to repel animals. Sound is generally not audible at the edge of the fenced boundary, but if audible, the sound is similar in volume to background noises and dissipates to inaudible 50 – 150 feet from the edge of the boundary.
CAN YOU GROW NATIVE VEGETATION OR POLLINATOR HABITAT UNDERNEATH SOLAR MODULES?
Yes, solar installations can support native vegetation and pollinator habitat species. Low-height plants can thrive underneath solar panels, avoiding the need for mowing and keeping the panels unshaded. Two states (MN and MD) have developed pollinator-friendly solar certifications to promote planting of pollinator habitat underneath utility-scale solar projects. Pollinator habitat can benefit local farms and can also host beekeeping operations.
WILL SOLAR MODULES DRIVE UP THE PRICE OF FOOD?
There has not been any documented evidence of solar modules increasing food prices. Solar projects planted with pollinator habitat can actually help increase local agricultural yields through increased pollination and other beneficial insect services. Two states (MN and MD) have already developed pollinator-friendly solar certifications to promote planting of pollinator habitat that can benefit local farms.
In addition, solar can provide several benefits to agricultural land managers that may offset capital costs of installing solar:
- Solar can be installed with zero upfront capital cost through leasing.
- Solar can be installed on marginal agriculture lands and provide a different source of revenue for the farm. This different revenue stream can offset operating expenses of the farm and provide economic resiliency in poor growing years.
- Solar does not need to be installed on current or projected growing areas.
- Co-location of solar and crops installations can be designed to optimize for both electricity and food production.
- Shade under the solar modules can allow for planting high-value, shade-tolerant, and hand-harvested crops that may not normally be available in markets (i.e. lettuces in desert areas, etc.).
IS IT SAFE TO SPRAY AGROCHEMICALS NEAR SOLAR MODULES?
Herbicide is currently sprayed around some solar modules to prevent weed growth. Agrochemicals should not present an issue. Care should be taken to not spray modules themselves, but if it occurs the modules can be washed off with water as they are made of glass and steel or aluminum and have been designed to withstand outdoor conditions.
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[accordion-item title=”CAN SOLAR MODULES POWER MY IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT?”]
Yes, solar can power irrigation equipment. Solar can offset power required for pumping and provide power to remote irrigation systems, requiring no grid connection. Solar irrigation pumps are currently in use in Africa, South America, and India.
I LEASE MY FARMLAND. CAN I STILL INSTALL SOLAR PV?
Depending on the current land use of the lessee, solar may or may not be allowed on the site. If current farming operations are suitable for solar or unused land exists, solar may be suitable.
I CAN’T DRIVE MY TRACTOR THROUGH OR AROUND SOLAR MODULES. ARE THERE WAYS I CAN STILL INSTALL SOLAR?
Solar systems can be installed on marginal or salt-degraded land or at the margins of fields where no farming occurs. If there is a desire to grow crops underneath and in between solar modules, smaller tractors or hand management are options. There is no one-size-fits-all solar design and developers should account for land and farming needs in the design process.
I NEED TO BURN MY FIELDS EVERY YEAR. CAN I STILL INSTALL SOLAR PV?
You should not burn crops underneath or around solar installations; this could lead to electrical fires and damaged equipment. However, solar can still be installed at the farming site where no burning needs to occur. This need should be communicated to the solar developer upfront during the site selection process.
MY FARMLAND FLOODS IN THE SPRING. CAN I STILL INSTALL SOLAR PV?
Solar can be installed in flood plains, but all electrical equipment will have to be installed above the projected level of flooding. Raising equipment could increase the cost of installation and may negatively impact the project economics. Also, the cost of insurance will be higher for PV systems in a flooding area. An area that will not be flooded may be better suited for PV installation.
WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF DUST ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SOLAR PV MODULES?
Various levels of power generation loss due to soiling should be incorporated into PV system generation estimates. NREL’s PV Watts soiling calculator uses an average soiling loss of 2%, but these losses are highly dependent on local weather and soiling conditions. Having vegetation underneath and around solar panels can reduce the levels of dust and soiling on panels.
CAN MY LAND BE CONVERTED BACK TO AGRICULTURAL LAND AFTER THE LIFE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM?
Land can be reverted back to agricultural uses at the end of the operational life for solar installations. A life of a solar installation is roughly 20-25 years and can provide a recovery period, increasing the value of that land for agriculture in the future. Giving soil rest can also maintain soil quality and contribute to the biodiversity of agricultural land. Planting crops such as legumes underneath the solar installation can increase nutrient levels in the soil.
ARE THERE TRADE-OFFS OF RAISING SOLAR MODULES TO ACCOMMODATE CROP PRODUCTION?
Raising the height of PV modules can increase the cost of the solar installation. Due to the increased wind loading on higher structures, the length of steel foundational posts underground would likely need to be increased to accommodate the additional structural loading.