Japan's Sado Island Pioneers Solar Farming: Growing Crops Under Panels
A unique trial is underway on Japan's Sado Island, combining solar power generation and crop farming. The 'Solar Sharing' project, led by the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), is testing the economic viability of this innovative approach at Minamimizawa Farm.
The trial involves installing CIS modules, supplied by Solar Frontier, at a height of two meters. This allows sunlight to pass through, enabling farming activities beneath. The modules, lightweight 'Solacis neo' with a total capacity of ten kilowatts, are specifically designed for this purpose.
Initially, broccoli was planted, followed by a variety of seasonal vegetables later in the year. The farm is now growing tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and peppers. The trial aims to gather data on shading levels and crop yield in the Washizaki district, known for its challenging growing conditions.
The 'Solar Sharing' trial on Sado Island is exploring a sustainable business model that benefits both farmers and the environment. By generating solar power and crops simultaneously, it aims to provide valuable data on economic impacts and shading effects, potentially paving the way for wider adoption in Japan.
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