agrivoltaics

This is a blended word, combining agriculture and photovoltaics (the generation of electricity using light sources, in particular, the sun).  This is not just a matter of whacking up some solar panels in the middle of a paddock.  The panels and the plants or animals have to share the sunlight so an agrivoltaic farm needs to make it work for both. The panels can be useful in shading the plants in the heat of the day and providing warmth during the night, reducing the stress on them and improving the output. Sheep can happily wander around and under the panels, and also benefit from the shade while keeping the pasture down.  This is referred to as solar grazing.  The panels can reduce the windspeed and thus the wind-chill factor, making life easier for the sheep in lambing.  There are benefits to be had from this new form of farming which means we might see more of it in the future.