solar power
Newsletter
Credit: Erik Karits/Unsplash
Farmers use solar panels to protect crops and conserve water
Arizona farmers are adopting solar panels to shade crops, conserve water, and generate power, aided by federal programs.
In short:
- Solar panels over crops provide shade, reducing water evaporation and protecting plants from extreme heat.
- The University of Arizona's agrivoltaics research shows increased soil moisture and crop yields with less water use.
- Federal programs like the Rural Energy for America Program offer loans and grants to support farmers in implementing renewable energy systems.
Key quote:
“Agrivoltaics actually helped us get even more bean production because now we were providing the shade, so they were less stressed.”
— Greg Barron-Gafford, University of Arizona professor
Why this matters:
Combining solar energy with farming helps Arizona combat drought, reduce water use, and increase crop yields. This sustainable approach supports farmers and aligns with broader environmental goals.
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Credit: Gerry Machen/Flickr
Solar power's unstoppable rise: a new dawn in global energy
In a groundbreaking study, scientists assert that solar energy has reached a pivotal tipping point, ensuring its rapid and irreversible global proliferation.
In short:
- The study predicts that solar energy, alongside wind power, will become the predominant electricity sources within the next two decades, outpacing all other forms of energy.
- Key factors driving this shift include technological advancements, cost reductions, and significant investment increases in solar energy deployment, especially in India and China.
- However, challenges such as grid resilience, financial accessibility, unstable mineral supply chains, and resistance from traditional industries could impede solar energy's full potential.
Key quote:
"Our analysis establishes quantitative empirical evidence, from current and historical data trends, that a solar energy tipping point is likely to have passed."
— Study authors
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate and health.
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Newsletter
Image by Maria Godfrida from Pixabay
Minnesota adjusts solar incentives to prioritize low-income households
A new law requires Xcel Energy to dedicate half of its Solar Rewards program budget to income-qualified customers, a category that includes schools and nonprofits.
Newsletter
The solar-panel backlash is here
On sunny days, some states can waste lots of clean energy. Their response has been to make panels less affordable.
Georgia Power asks for state OK to tap more fossil fuels to meet demand it failed to forecast
Environmentalists concerned about Georgia Power electricity plans to add 30% more fossil fuels natural gas energy.
Bernt Rostad/Flickr
World’s northernmost coal power plant shuts down
Longyearbyen at Svalbard switches from coal to diesel and halves the emission of CO2.
The eco-friendly glass that's hard to crack
Scientists have developed an extremely strong glass which is less energy intensive to make than regular glass.
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