Companies like BlueWave are betting on that. But technology has its critics.
Published 28 June 2022Updated 30 June 2022
This article is part of Upstart, a series on companies leveraging new science and technology to solve challenges in their industries.
In his 150-year history, Paul Knowlton’s farm in Grafton, Massachusetts, has been producing vegetables, dairy products and most recently hay. The development of the farm’s use turned to changing markets and a varying climate. Recently, Mr. Knowlton, however, a new type of cash crop: solar energy.
For Mr. Knowlton, a fifth-generation farmer and current owner, it was an easy call. He had already installed solar panels to supply electricity to his home and barn. When a real estate agent came and knocked to see if he was interested in renting a small portion of his land for a photovoltaic plant, “she sowed the seed so I could do more,” said Mr. Knowlton.
Mr. Knowlton looked at several companies, but was most impressed with BlueWave Solar, a developer in Boston that primarily focuses on solar cell installations and battery storage, which makes it possible to conduct excess electricity to the grid. Soon, two small plots with largely unused land were home to low-to-ground panels that produce electricity. This year, Mr. Knowlton’s farm goes a step further: In a third plot, solar panels will share space with crops so both can thrive.
This approach is called agrivoltaics – a portmanteau of agriculture and voltaic cells that convert solar energy into electrical power. Also called dual-use solar, the technology involves adjusting the height of solar panels to as much as 14 feet, as well as adjusting the distance between them, to accommodate equipment, workers, crops and grazing animals. The distance and angle of the panels allow light to reach the plants below, and have the added benefit of protecting these crops from extreme heat.
The electricity produced is uploaded to the grid, typically through nearby substations. While some of the electricity can find its way to the host farm, the projects are designed to supply electricity for general use. And such photovoltaic systems provide an alternative source of income in the form of payments to landowners like Mr. Knowlton or a reduction in rental payments for tenants.
BlueWave has primarily focused on designing the projects and then selling them to companies that build and supervise them. The Grafton project, at Mr. Knowlton’s farm, for example, is now owned by The AES Corporation, an energy company that developed, built and operates the project.
“Agrivoltaics not only promote the demand for clean energy, but they are essential to maintaining functioning farms,” said John DeVillars, one of BlueWave’s three co-founders and chairman of the board.
Dual-use solar energy became interesting more than a decade ago because “large installations in the middle of nowhere will not solve all our energy problems – transporting this energy can be very expensive,” said Greg Barron-Gafford, a biogeographer and a assistant professor at the University of Arizona. Farms in many parts of the country are located in suburban areas, transition zones from country to city. Their proximity to metropolitan areas with high utilization makes open agricultural areas particularly suitable for photovoltaic systems, but previously, without any coexisting agriculture, such a location could create a conflict over whether food or energy production should prevail.
In a study conducted by AgriSolar Clearhouse, a new collaboration to connect farmers and other landowners with agrovoltaic technology, the installations were also shown to promote growth by shielding crops from rising temperatures and helping save water. While the technology remains in its infancy in the United States compared to countries in Europe where the technology has been used for over a decade, federal regulators as well as academics and developers are working to address this inequality.
The early results are promising, said Garrett Nilsen, the acting director of the Solar Energy Technologies Office at the US Department of Energy. “There is a project in Arizona where they have seen a tripling of crop yields when they are under this kind of system and up to a 50 percent reduction in irrigation requirements,” because the panels provide shade, he said. In addition, the plants under the panels release water into the air, which cools the modules, creating what Mr. Nilsen described as a “symbiotic relationship between the plants and the panels.”
BlueWave’s first live project is a 10-acre farm in Rockport, Maine – now owned and operated by Navisun, a solar energy producer. Wild blueberry cultivars have been planted under solar panels, which will produce 4.2 megawatts of electricity; the project is estimated to produce 5,468 megawatts-hours annually – equivalent to the amount of power needed for about 500 U.S. households.
Unlike Massachusetts, Maine does not offer significant incentives to use solar energy, so there was a 10 to 15 percent premium on costs compared to similar projects that BlueWave absorbed, Mr. DeVillars. (This practice is consistent with the company’s status as a so-called B-Corporation, which requires a commitment to social and environmental goals.)
Other players clearly see the potential of agrovoltaics: On May 12, Axium Infrastructure, an investment management firm, announced its acquisition of BlueWave. Trevor Hardy remains as CEO, and Eric Graber-Lopez continues as president, while Mr. DeVillars becomes emeritus chairman.
Mr. Hardy said the sale would allow BlueWave to expand, so it will own and operate, not just develop, photovoltaic systems and battery storage. In the end, he said, the sale “puts us in a stronger place for dual use.”
“Farmers are working long term,” he continued. “It’s more compelling to drive up courtyards and sit with the owners at their kitchen tables and say we develop, own and operate the installation.” And the potential of technology extends far beyond blueberries; agricultural uses have included vineyards and shrimp farming.
BlueWave is not the only agrivoltaics developer. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, based in Germany, five megawatts of electricity were produced through these systems in 2012; by 2021, 14 gigawatts of power were produced in dual-use systems – roughly equivalent to the electricity needed by about two million U.S. households annually, according to a spokeswoman for the Department of Energy’s technology office. And technology is evolving rapidly; in the few years that have passed since the installation on Mr. Knowlton’s farm, for example, adjustable panels have been developed that can move to maximize the capture of sunlight.
“It may not always pay to be a pioneer, and it’s very challenging at times,” said Mr. Hardy, who grew up in a South African farming family. Finding suitable locations – where there is sufficient sun and proximity to a transformer station or other electrical infrastructure – can be difficult. Resistance from neighbors, especially where panels are visible from other homes or even the road, is not uncommon.
In fact, BlueWave was one of several defendants mentioned in a case over a proposed agrovoltaic plan in Northfield, Massachusetts. A state court recently ruled that the neighbor had the power to challenge the proposed development. One of the plaintiffs, Christopher Kalinowski, said that among his concerns was that his views would be blocked and that “the area would lose agricultural land.” (Mr Hardy declined to comment on the trial.)
In addition, some chapters of the Audubon nonprofit environmental organization have been vociferous about the potential impact of technology on wildlife. Michelle Manion, vice president of policy and advocacy for Mass Audubon (which is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society), said that although her organization supported renewable energy, including solar energy in agriculture, “we want to maximize the location of ground-mounted solar energy. on some of our lands that are first the least ecologically sensitive. “
And there are general concerns that even with dual-use solar panels, arable land could be lost, although BlueWave says the land can be returned to clean agricultural uses when solar cell leases – typically 20 to 30 years – expire.
But one of the main obstacles is cost. The soaring cost of steel has a direct effect on agrivoltaics’ weight on raising the panels 10 to 14 feet. “For every foot you go up, you have to go two feet down into the foundation,” Mr. Hardy. “It is a challenging industry when you think about what we need to do to achieve the climate goals. But we are staying the course. “
Ultimately, though, it all depends on how the crops taste: If taste or even appearance differs too far from traditional products, the technology will be hard to sell. But in an early study, researchers at the Biosphere 2 Agrivoltaics Learning Lab at the University of Arizona found that tasters preferred potatoes, basil and squash grown with agrivoltaics. Beans, however, may take some time: The small sample of tasters preferred the traditionally grown version.
How are solar farms wired?
There are two types of wires commonly used in photovoltaic systems: PV wire and USE-2 wire. They can both be used in grounded arrays, but only PV wires can be used in unearthed. See the article : This hydrogen fuel machine could be the ultimate guide to self-improvement. PV cable is used for connecting PV modules, and is designed to handle 90 ° C in wet conditions and 105 ° C in dry conditions.
How do photovoltaic systems transmit electricity? Solar panels generate electricity directly from sunlight. When sunlight hits the panels, semiconductors inside the solar panels are activated to produce usable electricity. In a solar cell yard, many individual solar panels are grouped together to produce a lot of electricity.
Where does the power from a solar farm go?
The electricity produced by the common solar cell farm is used to power the homes within a close range. Therefore, they are less likely to lose power if the network goes down. This may interest you : Solar san diego address. In contrast, electricity produced by solar-powered solar farms can travel for miles and miles until it reaches its destination, whether it is your home or your business.
How do solar farms sell electricity?
Utility-scale solar farms sell their electricity by entering into purchasing power agreements for their production in the wholesale market for electricity. This can be done using electricity marketplaces such as LevelTen Energy.
How does solar farm system work?
In a common solar cell farm, several customers jointly own or subscribe to a local solar cell project and receive credit on their utility bills for the energy that their share of the solar energy project produces.
How solar power is fed back to the grid?
Solar energy is generated via the solar panels when sunlight hits your solar panels. The energy obtained is then converted into DC electricity, which is sent to your inverter. The inverter then converts DC electricity from your solar panels to AC electricity. This solar energy is so suitable for household use.
How are solar panels connected in a solar farm?
In a large-scale supply system or a medium-sized community solar project, each solar panel can be connected to a single central inverter. String inverters connect a set of panels – a string – to an inverter. This inverter converts the power produced by the entire string to AC.
How solar panels are connected together?
Solar panels are connected in series when you connect the positive terminal on one panel to the negative terminal on another. When solar panels are connected in series, the voltage of the panels is added together, but the current remains the same.
Do solar panels need to be connected?
If there is no external circuit, there can be no current and therefore no electric current can be supplied from the panel, ie. the “electricity” never develops and therefore there is no reason to consider “where it goes”.
What are the 3 main ways to harness solar energy?
There are three primary technologies that use solar energy: photovoltaics (PV), which directly convert light into electricity; solar energy concentration (CSP), which uses heat from the sun (thermal energy) to power utility-scale electric turbines; and solar heating and cooling systems (SHC), which collect …
How are solar panels wired to the grid?
Connect the solar panels either directly to a power inverter and then connect it to the home network, or connect the inverter to the battery and then to the home network. This power inverter converts solar energy into energy that can be consumed at home.
How do solar panels connect to the power grid?
How are solar panels connected to the mains?
Plug-In Solar Connection Unit Each Plug In Solar Kit includes a Plug-In Solar Connection Unit, which is used to connect the solar energy to the mains. The solar heating system can be connected as part of a ring line, as an outlet from a ring line or on their own radial circuit.
Can you mix 12V and 24V solar panels?
Generally, a 12V solar panel should be paired with a 12V battery and a 24V solar panel should be used with a 24V battery. An important point to note here is that a 24V rated battery is not available in the market but you can create one by connecting two 12V batteries in a series connection.
Are 24V solar panels better than 12V? 24-volt systems can be used for devices with different voltages, both 12v and 24v. A 24v solar panel can charge a 12v battery bank. Heat loss is minimal due to its compatibility. Compared to a 12 volt solar system, a 24 volt is more efficient because it has heat retention properties.
Can I connect different voltage solar panels together?
It is not recommended to connect different solar panels in a solar panel, as either the voltage or the current can be reduced. This leads to lower output power and thus less solar cell-produced electricity. Therefore, if you plan to use different panels, try to choose those with similar voltage and current.
Can different solar panels be connected in parallel?
If we have two solar panels with the same voltage but different watts, there is no problem; they can be connected in parallel.
Can you mix and match different wattage solar panels?
Mixing and matching of solar panels can be performed. However, to get the results you are looking for, you need to consider all the factors in advance.
Can I use a 12V solar panel to charge a 24V battery?
Since off-grid solar panels are usually set up with a 12 volt charging system, if you have a 24 volt battery system, connect two panels in series or get a single high voltage solar panel to generate enough voltage to charge a 24V battery.
Can I use 12V solar panel on 24V inverter?
Compatibility with inverter Like the battery, the solar panel should also be compatible with the classification of the inverter. For example, a 12V solar panel should be paired with a 12V inverter and a 24V solar panel should be used with a 24V inverter. Inverters are available in various classifications like 12V, 24V, 48V etc.
Can I use a 24V solar panel on a 12V battery?
You can use a 24V solar panel to charge a 12V battery, but this is not a good practice you should consider. Ideally, your solar panel should be dimensioned to match the voltage of your battery. Using a panel that is too large or too small for your battery will create complexity in the planning of your solar energy systems.
Can you charge a 24V system with a 12V charger?
The circuit below shows how to arrange switching so that two 12V batteries can be connected in series to supply 24V, but can still be charged in parallel from a 12V charger. Consider the 24v system above.
Is solar power profitable?
If the rate received is Rs. 18 pr. kWh, but the price for the plant is only Rs. 8 crore then a 1 MW plant can give a profit of 1.6 crore per year for 25 years! In roof solar energy, there is an extra uncertainty, as so far there are few solar cell installations on rooftops in India.
Is solar energy a good investment? On average, homeowners can expect to save about $ 1,400 a year on their bill after switching to solar energy. The rising cost of electricity, combined with the declining cost of solar panels and systems over the last few years, makes investing in solar energy a no-brainer for homeowners.
How profitable is selling solar?
Sales roles in the solar cell industry are often advertised with salaries of more than $ 100,000 a year, and it is quite possible to get this kind of salary, even in remote environments. It is very rewarding. If you’ve ever worked with sales, you know how hard it can be to sell a product you do not believe in.
Can I sell my solar panels back to the company?
A process known as net metering allows consumers to take the solar energy they do not use and sell it back to utilities, which helps reduce the electricity bill.
How much do you make back from solar panels?
The average payback period for solar energy on EnergySage is only about 8.7 years. If your cost of installing solar cells is $ 20,000 and your system will save you $ 2,300 a year on lost energy bills, the repayment of your solar panel or break-even point will be 8.7 years ($ 20,000 / USD 2,300 = 8.7).
How much money can you make on an acre of solar panels?
Solar farms can be very profitable over a wide range possible, between $ 20,000 to $ 60,000 per year.
Are solar businesses profitable?
A typical return is around 6% per year, but this requires a long-term investment strategy as a business owner. For companies that only install panels for customers who pay all at once, you can see profits of $ 5,000 to $ 10,000 per. job.
How can I make money off of solar?
For those looking for an investment opportunity in the solar energy sector, solar cell stocks or ETFs are a good option. People can also benefit from solar energy by having solar panels installed in their own homes or businesses to take advantage of net metering to reduce consumption bills.
How can I grow my solar business?
Tips to grow your solar cell business
- Know the product. The easiest way to reject a potential buyer is by not giving the right answers at the time he needs to hear them. …
- Examine the market. …
- Develop a strategic marketing plan. …
- Target other markets. …
- Build a recognizable brand.
Why solar panels are not profitable?
The companies and their Wall Street supporters say the losses occur because photovoltaic plants are growing fast and require a lot of upfront investment, and because investors in companies can use the losses to offset their tax liabilities.
Why solar is not profitable?
The companies and their Wall Street supporters say the losses occur because photovoltaic plants are growing fast and require a lot of upfront investment, and because investors in companies can use the losses to offset their tax liabilities.
Why is solar energy not profitable?
But there is one important obstacle to their profitability: revenue decline. Adding wind and solar to the grid tends to reduce electricity prices in the times they generate. On a sunny afternoon in California, solar energy production can reach such high levels that it brings the price of electricity down to zero.
Why solar is not a good investment?
# 1 Economy is not the right one for you. High upfront costs for your solar energy system. This is usually because solar cell equipment and / or installation costs are expensive where you live. Space limitations mean that you cannot install a solar panel system that is large enough to provide adequate electricity bill savings.
Can I put solar panels on agricultural land?
Most farms and agricultural businesses have buildings that are suitable for roof-mounted photovoltaic systems. Agricultural buildings typically have a roof slope of 10-15 °, which will generate significant amounts of electricity, even when the roof does not necessarily face south.
Why do farmers not want photovoltaic systems? They are concerned that solar farms are leaking chemicals into the ground, or that the manufacture of solar panels is bad for the environment, but both of these arguments are untrue. Solar panels are made of aluminum, glass and sand, which do not get into the ground, and production is generally clean.
Can you put solar panels on agricultural land UK?
Ground-mounted solar panel systems of more than 9 m 2 (4-5 large solar panels) require a building permit. This means that all photovoltaic systems require a building permit. To get approval for solar parks in the UK, a series of rigorous planning procedures must be reviewed before work can begin.
How many acres do you need for a solar farm UK?
Based on the average annual consumption of a household, for every 5 MW installed, a solar park will supply approximately 1,500 homes in a year. Approximately 25 hectares of land are required for each 5 megawatt (MW) installation.
Do you need planning permission to put solar panels in a field?
You only need to apply for a full building permit (apartments) or the homeowner’s building permit (houses) to install a solar panel when one of the following applies: it would protrude more than 20 cm from the outside surface of the wall or roof slope, measured perpendicularly.
How much energy can 1 acre of solar panels produce UK?
As a general rule, 1 hectare of solar panels produces about 351 MWh of electrical energy per year. The actual profit depends on the land and state / location radiation (peak solar hours), but the average is about $ 14,000.
How many acres do you need for solar panels?
Available amount of soil For a typical solar cell installation, the general rule of thumb is that for every 1 kW of solar panels required, the required area is approximately 100 square feet. This means that the required area for a 1mW photovoltaic system is about 2.5 acres or 100,000 square feet.
What land is best for solar panels?
Solar developers seek clear, flat land with few or no wetlands and minimal slope (maximum 5 degrees). YSG has noticed a trend towards single-axis tracker devices. This is a shelving system that will move in a single direction (east / west) to maximize the generation of each solar panel.
What is the cost of a solar power plant set up in 1 acre of land in India?
The estimated land cost is Rs. 5 lakhs per hectare. Here, a minimum of 5 acres of land is required for a 1 MW plant, which means that a 5 MW solar energy plant will be Rs. 1 crore 25 lakh.
What is the best size for a solar farm?
How much land do we need? We usually require plots of at least 30 to 40 acres, but can occasionally bundle land together from neighboring landowners if you have smaller plots. Although 100-plus acre solar panels generate significantly more energy, 30 to 40 acres allow us to build 5 MW solar parks.
How are solar panels on farmland?
Placing abundant vegetation under panels leads to an increase in the earth’s shade and humidity, which in turn leads to cooler solar cells and higher energy yields. A recent study showed that panels with vegetation beneath them generated 10 percent more energy than those that had been placed over gravel.
Can you grow crops under solar panels?
Exciting researchers, farmers and solar cell companies is the fact that the plants, when they plant crops under solar panels, grow better and need less irrigation while the panels produce more electricity.
Are solar farms a good idea?
Solfarme has a high return on investment. You can save on your electricity bill and the maintenance costs are low. Solar panels have no moving parts, the parts they have are installed inside soundproof boxes. Noise is hardly a problem on photovoltaic systems.
What are the impacts of solar power on farmland?
Ecological impacts The clearing and use of large areas for solar power plants can have a negative impact on natural vegetation and wildlife in many ways, including habitat loss; disturbance of precipitation and drainage; or direct contact causing injury or death.