Advantages of using Solar Power in Agriculture

The Earth receives an enormous amount of energy from the Sun every day.  It is only logical for this energy to be harnessed and utilised in the form of solar energy.  Advances in solar technology and reduction in installation prices have seen a worldwide growth in the use of solar energy.

In a country like India, where the agriculture sector is the largest source of livelihood for the country’s population, solar energy can be used to reduce production costs of agricultural operations. Agriculture solar power has boomed, and more farmers are investing in cost-saving and sustainable technology that is environment- friendly.  A leading solar power plant manufacturer in India, Thermax is testament to this.

Dairy, poultry, growing crops, and other such specialized operations  involves many energy-intensive practices. Utilising solar energy for powering these operations is a practical solution to cutting down farming energy use and expense.

Many high-tech options are available today to use photovoltaic systems in agriculture and horticulture. The productivity of farms can be boosted at a low cost, using passive solar techniques, such as staging the crop rows and designing to take advantage of the sunlight. PV panel systems harness the energy of the sun to pump water for irrigating crops and powering farm machinery and equipment. Solar technologies are also be used to provide light, heat and ventilation to the farmhouse and livestock buildings.

Another major advantage of PV systems is their low maintenance compared to other farm energy resources. They also help to dry crops quickly and more evenly against any other methods.

The unreliable supply of electricity can often cause damage to important agriculture operations. With the adoption of solar techniques, farmers can reduce dependency on the electrical grid and can even generate enough power to remain completely off the grid.

With the help of solar technology, farmers have the opportunity to stabilize their energy costs and budget more effectively, helping them to save money.
Solar power installations are especially helpful for farms in remote locations, where installing new utility lines can be expensive and inconvenient. Farmers don’t have to be concerned with frequent power outages with solar energy; it is a predictable power source.

Solar power is also used in irrigation systems. These are cost-effective, reliable systems that need little maintenance. They can be easily customised and installed to fit the desired needs of farmers. The smaller systems don’t even require batteries.