Solar Racking Systems for Agriculture
Dual-use solar is the solution to maximize output from a piece of ground.
Agrivoltaics is an exciting development in the world of solar power installations. This process combines farming or grazing with renewable power generation on the same plot of land. In many cases, there is a symbiotic relationship between the shade of the solar panels and crops being grown or the animals grazing. The shade of solar panels can help slow evaporation and conserve water use. Studies are showing that dual-use provides 160% output on average compared to using the land for just agriculture or solar alone.
MT Solar Pole Mounts are perfectly suited to farm applications such as:
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Grazing Cattle, Sheep, Goats
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Crops and Food Production
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Pollinator Habitat
Benefits of MT Solar Mounts in Agrivoltaics:
Ground Clearance
The higher your mounts are off the ground, the easier it is to work under and around the arrays. Front edge ground clearance provides access for farming equipment or to keep your arrays out of reach of grazing animals. The design of MT Solar mounts allows for more ground clearance than most mounting solutions on the market.
Tilt Adjust 0-90º
With a quick adjustment to full vertical, you can open up rows to allow equipment in for tilling or seeding. Tilt adjust also allows for seasonal adjustments to optimize array output.
Steel Poles
The strength of a steel pole support structure makes it possible to co-locate your solar arrays with larger animals such as cattle. It is also a good investment if your farming equipment gets a little off-course.
Studies across the country are underway to examine the best uses and combinations of PV solar and agriculture.
Colorado State University and Sandbox Solar collaborated to determine the effects of PV module transparency with food crops. Read the story here.
Full-Size Farm Implements and Solar
Researchers at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment at University of Illinois demonstrate how full-size farm equipment can work between large MT Solar arrays. The study involves growing sorghum and soybeans in the shade of the solar arrays.
Easy Tilt Adjustment Allows Access
Watch this video to see how easy it is to change the tilt on MT Solar mounts. Changing the tilt temporarily can provide access for equipment or laborers.
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