Photo: Flickr.com / Solar Trade Association CC BY-SA

Pastures thrive under solar panels

Solar panels in pastures increased grass feed for sheep and cows by 90 per cent, according to a study done by researchers at Oregon State University. Measurements at a test site on the campus were done over two years. Significant differences in mean air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and soil moisture were observed. Areas under PV solar panels maintained higher soil moisture throughout the period of observation. Besides a significant increase in late season biomass under the PV panels, the shaded areas were also more than three times as water efficient.
“Semi-arid pastures with wet winters may be ideal candidates for agrivoltaic systems as supported by the dramatic gains in productivity,” the researchers conclude and continue, “the agricultural benefits of energy and pasture co-location could reduce land competition and conflict between renewable energy and agricultural production”.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0203256

AgricultureRenewable energy

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Pastures thrive under solar panels

In this issue

16,000 lives could be saved

Editorial: Cutting ship emissions is cost effective

The health costs of dirty diesel revealed

Great benefits of cutting ship emissions in the Mediterranean Sea

Transport is not on track to implement the Paris Agreement in the EU

CCS 2001–2018: Expectations and results

Set strict emission limits for power plants

Investing in development of electricity from renewables

Faster melting ice-sheets

Analyzing global energy scenarios

A win-win for health and environment

Opportunity to sharpen CAP proposal

Potential to cut non-CO2 emissions from farming

In Breif

Cruise ship captain fined for using dirty fuel

Denmark vows to shame sulphur cheats

Sweden plots course to zero-emissions shipping

EU wants urgent clarity on scrubbers

Emissions from aviation keep on rising

Germany to spend €2 bn to avert driving bans

Pastures thrive under solar panels

What are the health costs of pollution?

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EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

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