Electric Berry

Agrivoltaic technology allows dual use of land, combining agricultural production with photovoltaic electricity generation. We have already reported how innovative tinted and semi-transparent solar panels could utilise 'spare' solar irradiation for electricity production when installed above growing plants. Applying these, and newly developed flexible agrivoltaic materials, to existing polytunnels could help UK protected agriculture to meet net-zero carbon targets. This energy-intensive and valuable UK farming sector will: trial how best to install next-generation panels, practically and cost-effectively, in a real-world commercial setting; compare effects on soft fruit of their implementation; and show how generated energy can facilitate automated farming.

Applying novel solar panels over existing in-field structures reduces the need for rural land being lost to large solar farms that rarely benefits the grower with clean renewable energy. Here, the power will be used fully on site to grow berry crops using electric power to automate picking, power irrigation, sensing and vehicles; all sourced form renewables primarily, any excess will benefit the national grid in very much the same way a typical solar farm would. Ultimately we wish to grow 100% Electric Berries.