Vertical solar panels help farmers produce both energy and crops - eviltoast
  • evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world
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    22 days ago

    It’s not a very long article, so they don’t get too into detail. This would use bifacial solar panels. On a purely optics standpoint, you’d think they are much worse than traditional (i.e., facing south at the right angle) panels, but they gain efficiency by staying cooler, and they generate more power when traditional solar isn’t, which helps smooth out the power generation curve. They also self clean and don’t have as much hail risk.

    • Tobberone@lemm.ee
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      22 days ago

      The shade and the wind hindrance also helps with crop yield, I’ve been told by a farmer that is part of an experiment using these. The vertical panels help with moist retention, which is what is beneficial.