Solar panels benefit plant growth in Colorado
A recent study conducted by teams from Colorado State University and Cornell University has revealed the positive effects of solar panels on the greenlands of Colorado. The research, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, indicates that the presence of solar panels in Colorado’s greenlands can help alleviate water stress, enhance soil moisture levels, and boost plant growth by over 20 per cent.
The study, based on four years of data from an agrivoltaic farm in Longmont, Colorado, analysed a period that included both above-average and below-average precipitation, providing researchers with a comprehensive dataset to draw conclusions from.
Benefits of Solar Panels on Plant Growth
By examining various sites within and outside a single-axis tracking solar PV array, the researchers observed that plants under and around the solar systems benefited from partial shading and the additional water collected on the solar panels. The aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in the array increased by about 20 per cent compared to adjacent open grassland. In certain locations within the array, such as near the edges of the solar panels, ANPP saw a significant increase of around 90 per cent.
These findings proved crucial for plant survival, especially during dry and harsh summer months. Even in average and wetter years, there was a noticeable increase in productivity, with a 28 per cent and 12 per cent rise in ANPP, respectively, compared to control sites outside the solar farm.
Potential Environmental Benefits
The results of the research highlight the potential of utilising solar land for both renewable power generation and ecosystem stability in grasslands. Matthew Sturchio, a Cornell postdoctoral research associate and co-author of the study, emphasised the importance of the findings, stating that the benefits of solar arrays on plant and water relations become more pronounced in drier conditions like those in Colorado.
Sturchio suggested that by making small adjustments to solar panel design, configuration, and management, additional environmental benefits could be realised. For instance, altering the positioning of solar panels to provide shade during temperature spikes or adjusting panel configurations to allow more light during key growth periods could lead to significant improvements.
Overall, the research underscores the potential for solar panels to not only generate renewable energy but also create a more favourable environment for plant growth and ecosystem health.
