pmartens07 - 9/14/2024 08:14

We are putting a large solar array in next year to supplement what we already have. We have 72 kW and we will be adding 304kW. This should get us fully self sufficient including the generator we run for drying and cleaning grain.

We will be installing 200kW of that as modified ground mount in the pasture. Modified meaning that the lowest point will be at 6’6” off the ground and the rows will be 3x as far apart as normal. Based on a study out of Germany we are expecting no significant reduction in grass production and an increase in grazing time when it’s hot in the summer. We are also looking into installing a row of panels above our existing high tensile fence using the same posts and adding bracing for the added wind load.

This is very much an experimental install to see what works and yes, some of the alterations and trials are being subsidized by the New York State.

I think that field scale solar can coexist with crop production but neither one will look like what we do now.

As an example, a concept design that I’ve seen calls for panels on elevated posts with the leading edge between 6’6” and 8’ off the ground, the high side would be upwards of 12’ off the ground. Rows of these panels would be run parallel with the crops every 36’ with space for a full 12r30 pass in between. Panels could be tipped 180 or 90 degrees to the ground during field work to give about 9’ of clearance underneath or more clearance between rows and the rest of the time they would operate normally.

Problems with the model: damage to panels from impact, machinery or projectile debris. Shading of panels or crops, probably only a big issue in corn and there have been a few interesting posts here recently on dwarf corn

Benefits: the farmer would probably give up 20% of the land base in production and much less than that if grazing. Production per panel would likely be higher with the use of bifacial panels because a higher mounting point increases production from the backside. Payment to the farmer would likely be $300/ac/year, possibly more depending on demonstrated output

Rather than the developers and farmers both digging their trenches and refusing to discuss innovative compromise we should be looking for ways that we all get some thing that we want