Vertical Panels: The Future of Solar Farming in the US

• Next2Sun's agrivoltaics projects bring vertical solar panels to the US, maximizing land use and offering protection for crops and soil health. Collaboration with iSun in Vermont marks a new milestone.

German startup Next2Sun is expanding its agrivoltaics projects to the United States, aiming to install vertical solar panels alongside crops such as potatoes and hay. Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining farming and solar power, offers the advantage of minimizing the need for land. Next2Sun uses special bifacial solar modules that are installed vertically to efficiently collect sunlight from both sides of the panels. This approach is particularly useful in areas where land is expensive or limited. The US Department of Energy has warned that solar power and agriculture could conflict if solar usage continues to grow.

Agrivoltaics not only maximizes land use but also offers other benefits. Vertical solar panels can collect energy in the morning and evening, balancing out other solar plants, and are less likely to be affected by snowstorms. Crops planted through agrivoltaics may also be better protected from extreme weather, and incorporating vegetation can improve soil health and support animal grazing. Next2Sun has successfully implemented agrivoltaics projects in Germany and is now collaborating with US solar company iSun for a new installation in Vermont. However, agrivoltaics still face limitations, such as certain crops blocking the panels and the need for specific bifacial solar panels. Additionally, there are questions about cost-sharing, liability, insurance, and best management practices for these projects.

How is Next2Sun expanding its agrivoltaics projects in the United States?

• Next2Sun is expanding its agrivoltaics projects in the United States by installing vertical solar panels alongside crops such as potatoes and hay.
• The practice of combining farming and solar power, known as agrivoltaics, offers the advantage of minimizing the need for land.
• Next2Sun uses special bifacial solar modules that are installed vertically to efficiently collect sunlight from both sides of the panels.
• This approach is particularly useful in areas where land is expensive or limited.
• Agrivoltaics not only maximizes land use but also offers other benefits such as collecting energy in the morning and evening, balancing out other solar plants.
• Vertical solar panels are less likely to be affected by snowstorms, providing a more reliable source of energy.
• Crops planted through agrivoltaics may also be better protected from extreme weather, improving their resilience.
• Incorporating vegetation in agrivoltaics projects can improve soil health and support animal grazing.
• Next2Sun has successfully implemented agrivoltaics projects in Germany and is now collaborating with US solar company iSun for a new installation in Vermont.
• However, agrivoltaics still face limitations, such as certain crops blocking the panels and the need for specific bifacial solar panels.
• There are also questions about cost-sharing, liability, insurance, and best management practices for agrivoltaics projects.