agrivoltaics

Converting the nation’s 40 million acres of ethanol corn farms into solar-plus-food facilities would generate 1.5 times our nation’s electricity needs, while also powering a 100% electrified passenger vehicle fleet.

The Bird Control Group’s autonomous laser system reduces bird populations from inhabiting specific areas by more than 70%. In many cases, bird activity was reduced by more than 99%.

Researchers from Temple University have found that managed sheep grazing on an acre of recovering agricultural soil with native plants installed may sequester one ton of carbon per year, which may accumulate for 12 to 15 years before reaching saturation

Also on the rise: Solid-state battery start-up Sparks opened a pilot plant for its patented lithium battery technology based on zero cobalt cathodes. Hyperion will invest in a new facility in Ohio to manufacture its hydrogen fuel cell. Pennsylvania may have to sell RECs and use the cash to cap abandoned oil and gas wells. Sol Systems acquires 540MW Illinois solar portfolio. Greenskies moves agrivoltaics forward in Connecticut. FranklinWH chief sales officer shares views on distributed storage.

The Connecticut-based firm received approvals to bring farming to two solar fields in a practice called agrivoltaics.

The PV industry in 2021 has largely been defined by disruption: Price increases from raw materials to final shipping have led to shortages in PV module supply and project delays the world over. Despite these upsets, innovation has continued at pace, and the year has seen plenty of technological twists and turns that are sure to spell good news for solar in the long run. Read on for a look back at some of the biggest developments.

Heliene is developing the solar integrated greenhouse market via multiple angles – integrating standard panels into structures while also developing “quantum dot” panels that shift the photon wavelength away from crop damaging UV, and into the orange and red wavelengths that plants crave.

Also on the rise: Consumers Energy will add 400 MW of solar, an agrivoltaics clearinghouse launches to help drive the movement, and John Weaver lays out the case for continued California net metering.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology launched the clearinghouse to connect farmers and solar developers with agrivoltaics information.

Also on the rise: Ossoff bill would address cost burden of rooftop solar to low- to middle-income customers, and $13 million in seed round funding for a solar module-mounted storage solution.