{"id":208950,"date":"2025-01-09T11:28:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T21:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=208950"},"modified":"2025-01-09T11:28:27","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T21:28:27","slug":"agrivoltaics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/01\/09\/agrivoltaics\/","title":{"rendered":"How does solar energy panels help farming?"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> < 1<\/span> minute<\/span><\/span>

\"people<\/p>\n

Agrivoltaics, which combines solar energy generation with agricultural production, represents a cutting-edge solution to land use challenges. The University of Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> Office of Sustainability<\/a> and College of Engineering<\/a> participated in a tour of the Hawaiʻi<\/span> Agriculture Research Center (HARC<\/abbr>) Agrisolar project in November. The event highlighted the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture, offering students a firsthand look at an innovative approach to sustainable land use.<\/p>\n

The HARC<\/abbr> Agrisolar project, established in collaboration with AES<\/abbr> Corporation, Longroad Energy and Clearway Energy Group, spans a 230-acre solar farm in Mililani. Underneath the panels, researchers have successfully cultivated crops such as lettuce, strawberries, radish and poha berries since the project\u2019s inception in June 2022.<\/p>\n

\"group<\/p>\n

“We learned and witnessed how growing agriculture under solar produces higher yields of both food and energy,” said Miles Topping, director of the 糖心视频<\/abbr> Office of Sustainability.<\/p>\n

The dual-use system enhances sustainability by creating microclimates that reduce heat stress, conserve water and support biodiversity.<\/p>\n

Hands-on experience for students<\/h2>\n

For engineering students, the tour offered a chance to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Participants observed thriving crops beneath solar panels and engaged with researchers to understand the challenges and successes of agrivoltaics.<\/p>\n

“It was really cool seeing land being used for both agriculture and clean energy production,” said Nicholas Atkins, a 糖心视频<\/abbr> engineering student. “I am excited to see where their research will take sustainability on Oʻahu.<\/span>”<\/p>\n

The HARC<\/abbr> Agrisolar project showcases dual-use systems that address land scarcity, enhance food security, and advance renewable energy while prioritizing Indigenous and locally significant crops. Learn more about the project at Agrisolar Clearinghouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 糖心视频<\/abbr> Office of Sustainability and College of Engineering participated in a tour of the Hawaiʻi<\/span> Agriculture Research Center Agrisolar project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[222,179,1038,672,73,9,947],"class_list":["post-208950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-agriculture","tag-college-of-engineering","tag-office-of-sustainability","tag-renewable-energy","tag-sustainability","tag-uh-manoa","tag-uh-system","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t