Researchers from the University of Lisboa and the Military Academy in Portugal propose a novel renewable energy concept called agrivoltaics, which involves integrating solar farms with "shadow-friendly" crops to accelerate the shift towards renewable energy sources. This approach not only enhances land productivity but also reduces the payback period for solar panels to less than five years, making it more economically viable than standalone solar or agriculture projects. Published in Energy for Sustainable Development, their study outlines the versatility of agrivoltaics across various agricultural practices, highlighting its potential to revolutionize energy and food production. Several countries, including China, Germany, Japan, and the US, are already investing in agrivoltaic systems, with South Korea's trials yielding successful broccoli crops without compromising quality. The concept extends beyond broccoli to encompass a range of crops like carrots, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, and berries, offering a sustainable solution to meet both energy and food demands.
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