This grant presents and opportunity to address significant problems involving farms and sustainable energy. Through the optimal matching, distribution and integration of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems into pastures and rangeland farm income could be nearly doubled. There is the potential to have all energy needs (transportation, electrical, heating) of the US met. (ref. 19, 25). The primary obstacles include integrating solar panels in a synergistic manner versus an either/or choice for farmers on use of pasture or rangeland. As grasslands utilize 2-3% of incoming solar radiation, over a fairly narrow range of frequencies and solar cells can convert other frequencies of radiation directly into electrical energy, the two should be compatible on the same acreage, resulting in increased income per acre and a product (electricity) that does not need to be produced elsewhere. By modeling the interplay of the spatial distribution of solar panels producing electricity and their impact on pasture and cow productivity we believe we can generate scenarios where farms are net-zero energy or even energy plus. In semi-arid climates we believe there can also be significant benefit in the reduction in water usage.
