This report of growing a food crop among solar cells just makes me breathless. What a special thing.
Stanford is such a special place.
http://www.sciencecodex.com/stanford_scientists_model_a_winwin_situation_growing_crops_on_photovoltaic_farms-131486
Interesting theory. Build solar farms in places where there is no water easily available for cleaning, and then use the non-existent cleaning water for growing cactus. I looked up the water required for one agave plant, and it is recommended that each agave plant have a drip line that administers one gallon of water per hour. That would be a lot of water, especially if there is a substantial evaporation as the water is sprayed over the solar panels. I wonder if anyone has actually put boots-on-the-ground and done a trial build somewhere, with controlled conditions. Oh, wait, this is alternative-energy, so computer models can take the place of actual physical realities.
“Growing agave and other carefully chosen plants amid photovoltaic panels could allow solar farms not only to collect sunlight for electricity but also to produce crops for biofuels, according to new computer models by Stanford scientists.”
“Models,” plural. One wouldn’t do. But wait . . . why would you need a model at all? The key knowledge is will the plants grow around the solar panels. How can a model tell you that?
BWTM . . . agave is prickly, and, additionally, it can cause contact dermatitis, like poison ivy. I’m sure the workers will be happy to have their work area covered with it. Hey, guys, be careful not to hit a solar panel while you are harvesting.
I’m guessing the ardent proponents of industrial PV solar energy production were having feelings of guilt over all the water used, and this is salve for their guilt. The proposal has no need to be practical to make them feel better.
Naval gazing at Stanford.