Maximizing Solar Energy for Agriculture
The uses of solar energy for agriculture cannot be denied. Aside from being a main component in the growth of plants and crops, sunlight has many other functions in an agricultural setting. Quite a number of farmers have already wised up to these additional benefits, which is why they have taken steps to maximize the use of solar energy in their farms. Historical Trend: Fruit Walls Increasing solar energy advantages in an agricultural setup isn’t a new concept. Back in the period known as the Little Ice Age in the 1600s, farmers developed fruit walls to boost their harvest. These walls functioned as thermal nets that harnessed solar energy, the greater amount of which kept the plants warm and allowed them to ripen faster. This technology was constantly improved over time for more efficient results. Multiple Uses The solar energy allotted for a specific unit of the farm isn’t exclusive for that unit only – it can be used for other areas as well. Solar collectors are the modern applications of fruit wall technology. They concentrate the sun’s rays in a specific region to generate more heat for the plants located there. If used solely for this purpose, the costs of running a solar collector might be quite high; It would be more efficient if the same solar collector is used to warm up other buildings and farm structures during alternating periods of the year.
Greenhouse Lighting and Heating Traditional solar energy use for greenhouses is limited to lighting. To maximize the power generated through this, some Northern California solar energy systems have expanded this function to greenhouse heating. Maintaining the temperature inside a greenhouse is essential for growing healthy plants and crops. Specialty Crops Solar greenhouses are also important for the long-term production of specialty crops that are not suitable for the local clime. Solar Butte County farmers, for example, are able to grow plants that were originally out of place in California’s weather. This translates to higher outputs and profit. With these advantages, it’s not a surprising to see that there are an increasing number of Northern California solar farmers and other similar agricultural producers around the country. This trend is expected to continue, especially since traditional sources of energy are quickly being depleted.
