At the University of Arizona, scientists are working on agrivoltaics projects just outside of Biosphere 2, the living laboratory where climate science and the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus have been the focus of interdisciplinary research in recent years. Agrivoltaics is a synergistic combination of new solutions to a very old problem: Growing food in drought-prone areas. Positioning a solar panel array so that crops are grown beneath the canopy, the joint effect is much greater than the sum of their separate effects: While the solar panels help to shade delicate plants and conserve water throughout the growing season, the evaporative cooling effect actually helps to make the solar panels work more efficiently.

1. =
Excessive heat prevents
optimal performance of
solar panels. Panels and cleared ground absorb and retain heat from the
daytime sun, making the hot environment feel hotter.
The soil absorbs the heat of the sun
and the panels trap the heat.
Vegetables planted under solar panels
reduce the surrounding temperature,
transpires through the plants’ leaves,
the panels are cooled by the evaporation.
Grow Veggies
+ +
Ok, let’s explain.
in the hottest places on Earth.
The Paradox
Shaded plants require less water.
- Healthier plants are less prone to heat stress
- Cooled panels capture more energy
The cooler panels convert
more of the sun’s energy to
usable electricity.
Cooler solar
panels capture
more energy
from the sun.
Vegetable crops
share the
land with
solar panels.
Shaded plants
consume less water.
agrivoltaics
What is
exploring the Food Energy
Water (FEW) Nexus&
#FEWNexus
#Biosphere2
Research.arizona.edu/stories/agrivoltaics
#FEWNexus