Many of us don’t like broccoli. This green vegetable that looks like cauliflower is actually perfect for growing with solar panels.
Researchers are testing growing broccoli under solar panels. It will be very viable for farmers.
This is possible according to a new study by researchers at South Korea’s Sonnam National University, part of a growing field called agrivoltaics.
Agrivoltaics is a field that looks for ways to combine agriculture and solar energy on the same land to meet the world’s energy and food needs.
According to the study, the shade provided by the solar panels helps the broccoli to acquire a deep green color. It looks very attractive and does this without major loss in crop size or nutritional value.
However, the financial benefits for solar farmers are significantly greater — almost ten times greater — compared to the income from growing broccoli. Importantly, farmers miss out on this opportunity as solar panels are not installed in the field.
It provides an opportunity to overcome the difficulties of open field cultivation due to harsh weather conditions and helps in producing high quality crops. Increased energy production will provide huge benefits to farmers.
