An Alaska Solar Farm Produces Food, Too

The article discusses an innovative solar farm in Alaska that produces both food and electricity. Alaska faces high costs for both power and produce due to its remote location and challenging climate. Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are testing a "solar-plus-agriculture" approach, where crops are grown in the shade of solar panels. This allows for efficient use of limited land while providing renewable energy and locally-grown food. The solar farm experiment includes growing leafy greens, herbs, and other crops that thrive in the partial shade created by the panels. Preliminary results suggest this approach can yield up to 30% more food per acre compared to traditional farming methods in Alaska. The project aims to address Alaska's energy and food security challenges through an integrated, sustainable solution. If successful, this model could be replicated in other remote or northern regions facing similar constraints around land, power, and food production.