a technology called Agrivoltaics . Essentially , this is a combination of solar panels and plants on farmland . The process involves mixing farm crops with photovoltaic panels to generate both crops and solar energy at the same time .
In short , photovoltaics use solar energy to produce crops for food . However , a reported drawback to this technology that the panels are often mounted to concrete pads as the topsoil on farmland is too unstable . This results in less food production , and the panels themselves only have half the capacity of power generation per acre .
Whilst this does increase costs , experts say that farming working in tandem with solar power can pay themselves off over a timespan of about eight years .
With current investments in solar energy growing at a significant rate , and with it being a natural renewable energy source based on power from the sun , its future looks positive . The technological opportunities it offers , such as panel recycling and water installation , prove to be a viable reason to invest .
energydigital . com 59