New framework quantifies solar land use with unprecedented detail
The research reached a surprising conclusion that dual-axis solar tracker systems are more land-intensive per kW than single-axis trackers or fixed-tilt systems. The study’s data-driven approach highlights key efficiency metrics and siting opportunities, including agrivoltaics and brownfield development, for sustainable solar expansion.
Power producers and portfolio owners face the facts of life with PV repowering
REC Solar’s Andy Sofranko says planning and engineering can prevent a plant’s mid-life crisis.
California study finds electrification can put downward pressure on electric rates
Wide adoption of electric vehicles that can displace fossil fuel combustion with renewable power can also lower rates by about 3 cents per kWh, if the needed distribution grid upgrades are built efficiently and with cost constraints, a study found.
The role of robotics in boosting U.S. solar recycling capacity
Solar recycler OnePlanet will draw on vision-guided robots and automation to scale their River City facility and recover more, purer valuable materials from spent panels.
Agrivoltaics for sorghum and soybeans
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that shading from agrivoltaic systems reduces grain numbers in both sorghum and soybean, but sorghum can partially compensate by increasing grain weight while soybean cannot. The study shows that sorghum and soybean respond differently due to their physiology, offering guidance for crop selection and management to minimize yield penalties in agrivoltaics.
Solar sidewalks slash urban emissions 98%, study finds
A Concordia model reveals how photovoltaic pavements can electrify urban food delivery and mobility, slashing emissions by 98% while freeing rooftops for agriculture.
Solar provides predictable income stream for farms
Solar farm leases provide stable, predictable income that helps financially secure family farms and boosts rural tax revenues with minimal land impact, said a report from the SEMA Coalition.
PV-powered transportation system for 15-minute cities
A Canadian research team has developed a framework for local urban agriculture production, with the produce harvested distributed by electric vehicles powered by sidewalk-integrated photovoltaics. The PV-powered transportation system was calculated to have a payback time of 2.8 years.
Protecting the grid from extreme weather
IEC Standards help to make the grid more resilient as the impact of climate change intensifies.
New York awards $7 million for co-located solar and farming
Grant funds were administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to demonstrate the efficacy of agrivoltaics.
