Giving up farmland for solar panels is a sensitive topic in the ag community, but the Department of Energy is funding research to see what it would take to make solar and farms blend together.
“We’re funding Iowa State University to demonstrate and evaluate horticulture and beekeeping at 1.35 MW solar array on cap. Plus, they’re exploring how solar farms can be modified. For example, by changing the height or tracking of the panels to accommodate agriculture,” said Jeff Marootian.
The Department says the end goal is to provide clean energy while helping farmers earn more money.
