Solar energy production and farming land benefit from flat, open, sunny fields. But solar panels and crops don’t play nicely together; they both need the same thing to be at their peak: sunlight. Researchers like Ricardo Hernandez at NC State are working to redesign the classic solar panel to allow plants to get the sunlight they need while collecting enough to turn it into renewable energy.
Producer/Editor: Michelle Lotker
Cinematography: Miriam McSpadden
Post Production Editor: Josh Sicard
Graphics: Dan McCord
This story is part of the Pulitzer Center’s Connected Coastlines reporting initiative. For more information, go to https://pulitzercenter.org/connected-coastlines/.
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State of Change
Energy generation is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, so renewable sources like solar are seen as effective options for reducing our carbon footprint. However, land that’s ideal for solar installations is also prime for farming. Fortunately, we can have both. Find out how North Carolinians are getting creative about how to generate solar energy alongside agriculture. Discover more https://pbsnc.org/StateOfChange.
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