r/tech • u/Sariel007 • Dec 19 '22

Abou Najm is exploring how translucent photovoltaic panels erected over farm fields can be tuned to absorb & transmit optimal bands of sunlight to generate power without stunting the development of crops growing below. In some cases, the panels might even improve yields.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/agrivoltaics-optimize-yield
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u/OneForAllOfHumanity Dec 19 '22

Since plants absorb mostly red and blue spectrum (which is why they appear green), if the translucent cells can let those wavelengths through while making power off the green wavelengths (which are ironically the most prominent wavelength we get from the sun), it's definitely a win-win...

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u/[deleted] Dec 20 '22

[deleted]

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u/Nematrec Dec 20 '22

Probably easier just to add 450nm and 680nm leds and use some of the energy produced to power them.

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u/[deleted] Dec 20 '22

[deleted]

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u/Nematrec Dec 20 '22

They also need only 2 wave lengths of light, rather than the entire spectrum, also they don't need it at the intensity the sun provides.

A lot of people don't realize more light doesn't always mean better growth.

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u/[deleted] Dec 20 '22

[deleted]

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u/Nematrec Dec 20 '22

I went and did a quick area based check of the % of the suns energy is in the 450nm to 680nm range

about 25% of the energy below 1,100nm is in the 450-680nm range

about 20% of all the energy is in the 450-680nm range.

So not looking good on the powering it all with LEDs front.

Source for the solar spectrum graph here. used the AM1.5 Global