Latest news with #MatthewSturchio
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts make surprising discovery that could have major impact on agricultural lands: 'More valuable'
Experts make surprising discovery that could have major impact on agricultural lands: 'More valuable' A recent study showed that solar panels can help protect grasslands during dry seasons, according to The Conversation. The four-year study in Colorado showed that the shade cast by solar panels helped grass grow 19% more than grass left out in the open during years with low precipitation. However, growth was lower during average and wet years. That surplus in dry seasons may be worth the trade-off, according to researcher Matthew Sturchio. "When water is scarce, increases in grassland productivity are more valuable because there isn't as much around," he said, per The Conversation. "Therefore, increasing grassland production in dry years could provide more available food for grazing animals and help offset some of the economic harm of drought in rangelands." This study reaffirms the growing body of science in the field of agrivoltaics. The data produced shows that it's possible to have solar panels operating on functioning agricultural land while affording measurable benefits to crops and livestock. The solar panels are also able to power farm operations and generate revenue for landowners. Even without its agricultural value, grasslands are massively important ecosystems. As the incidence of drought increases, it's becoming more important to protect the grasslands that nurture stressed wildlife, such as pollinators. Solar energy is a key component of the electrical grid of the future. At a utility scale, it's the cheapest option out there. It also helps to displace coal and gas power, which are some of the top contributors to atmospheric pollution. That pollution is exacerbating destructive weather patterns, such as floods and droughts, which directly affect the livelihood of farmers. If you're interested in upgrading to solar power in your home, EnergySage has a free online tool that can connect you to vetted local experts. These installers can knock up to $10,000 off the cost of new solar panels, provided homeowners get started before the federal tax incentives go away this year. Sturchio's ecovoltaics team at the University of Colorado is gearing up to dig deeper into its research at a new site that goes live this year. "Testing the effects of solar panels over grasslands in a native ecosystem with even greater aridity will help us develop a clearer picture of ways solar energy can be developed in concert with grassland health," he said, per The Conversation. Which of these factors is the biggest obstacle preventing you from getting solar panels? The upfront cost The way they look Not sure where to start No concerns here! Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Solar panel arrays may help sustain grasslands during drought: Study
The placement of solar panels in Colorado's grasslands could help decrease water stress and increase plant growth by about 20 percent during dry years, a new study has found. In these semi-arid areas, where grasslands often don't get as much water as they need, the partial shading offered by solar systems can help plants get through harsh summers, according to the study, published in Environmental Research Letters. The plants also benefit from any additional water that ends up collecting on the panels, the authors noted. 'Even though this solar array was designed to maximize energy generation — not to promote beneficial environmental conditions for the grasses grown beneath — it still provided a more favorable environment during a dry year,' lead author Matthew Sturchio, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, said in a statement. In more temperate environments, although solar power arrays provide a critical source of renewable energy, they also reduce the availability of sunlight for plant growth. The diminished presence of local vegetation also means a decrease in plant-based carbon storage and the forage available for grazing animals. But during dry years in semi-arid Colorado, scientists found that grass growth on the east side of panels was in some cases considerably more productive than in adjacent open sites. In wet and normal years, the positive rate of production was reduced, but the east side of the panels still saw more grass growth than the neighboring control spots. The scientists suggested maximizing potential gains by adjusting panel arrays to changing environmental conditions — such as repositioning them to provide shade when air temperatures rise or configuring them to let in more light during growing seasons. 'With small changes in array design, configuration and management, we may even realize untapped benefits, particularly those related to water use,' Sturchio said. Going forward, Sturchio and senior author Alan Knapp, a biology professor at Colorado State University, said they are researching optimal ways to place solar power infrastructure in order to also support grazing livestock or habitat pollinators. 'PV solar arrays may provide a unique opportunity to harvest the sun for electrical energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the climate change threat of increased water limitation to ecosystem functioning,' the authors concluded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
02-06-2025
- Science
- The Hill
Solar panel arrays may help sustain grasslands during drought: Study
The placement of solar panels in Colorado's grasslands could help decrease water stress and increase plant growth by about 20 percent during dry years, a new study has found. In these semi-arid areas, where grasslands often don't get as much water as they need, the partial shading offered by solar systems can help plants get through harsh summers, according to the study, published in Environmental Research Letters. The plants also benefit from any additional water that ends up collecting on the panels, the authors noted. 'Even though this solar array was designed to maximize energy generation — not to promote beneficial environmental conditions for the grasses grown beneath — it still provided a more favorable environment during a dry year,' lead author Matthew Sturchio, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University, said in a statement. In more temperate environments, although solar power arrays provide a critical source of renewable energy, they also reduce the availability of sunlight for plant growth. The diminished presence of local vegetation also means a decrease in plant-based carbon storage and the forage available for grazing animals. But during dry years in semi-arid Colorado, scientists found that grass growth on the east side of panels was in some cases considerably more productive than in adjacent open sites. In wet and normal years, the positive rate of production was reduced, but the east side of the panels still saw more grass growth than the neighboring control spots. The scientists suggested maximizing potential gains by adjusting panel arrays to changing environmental conditions — such as repositioning them to provide shade when air temperatures rise or configuring them to let in more light during growing seasons. 'With small changes in array design, configuration and management, we may even realize untapped benefits, particularly those related to water use,' Sturchio said. Going forward, Sturchio and senior author Alan Knapp, a biology professor at Colorado State University, said they are researching optimal ways to place solar power infrastructure in order to also support grazing livestock or habitat pollinators. 'PV solar arrays may provide a unique opportunity to harvest the sun for electrical energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the climate change threat of increased water limitation to ecosystem functioning,' the authors concluded.
