Thu Sep 05 00:58:00 UTC 2024: – Iowa State University is conducting research on agrivoltaics, where crops are grown underneath solar panels
– The farm is a public-private partnership between Alliant Energy and ISU, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
– The research aims to determine what can be grown underneath solar panels, impact of microclimates on energy production, and scaling up the practices
– Crops include broccoli, summer squash, peppers, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, prairie plants, and grasses, with data collected on yield, quality, and marketability
– The project aims to bring jobs to communities, diversify incomes for farmers, and conserve wildlife habitats at solar facilities
– Challenges include optimal conditions for fungal growth and diseases, but growers are expressing interest in the results.

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