We are sleepwalking into the climate catastrophe. Solar still only accounts for 3.7% of worldwide energy production. We desperately need more, but where can we put the solar panels? They need space on precious land. Land we need for: towns, houses, streets, intact ecosystems and food. So how about putting them on existing farmland? Or on water? Or why not harvest the sun's energy much closer to it? What's the best way to build more solar panels without losing much needed space?

Let's start back on earth. Here we have a serious space issue. We are already using a lot of our soil to grow food. But what if we grew crops and generated energy at the same time? It's time for: Agri-Voltaics. The idea behind it is double the harvest! To do this, modules are built in such a way that the soil beneath them can still be used for growing plants.

One type is solar fences. Place in between the fences can be used to grow crops, for livestock or for flower strips. Or the modules could be built in a way that gives the panels enough space to rotate towards the sun. Or high enough for farmers to be able to walk and work beneath them. And even enjoy some shade when the sun is really blazing. So the plans still get enough light. Farmers can use the generated solar energy directly on their farm. Or they can sell it to others in the local area. Another plus: The photovoltaics or PV panels protect the plants growing under them from heavy rain and hail.

Climate change means such extreme weather events are on the rise. And these PV panels are also helpful in other extreme conditions: In a world that is getting hotter and hotter, the models insures that less water is needed for irrigation. So the panels help save water and protect the plants from overheating. And it works the other way around too:  with the green plants cooling the underside of the modules making them more effective.

Interest in Agri-Voltaics is growing across the world. Dry regions in particular can really benefit from the combination technology. But, yes there are a few buts: not everything can be grown under the panels. Some crops require full sun to grow well. Some plants needed bigger gaps between the panels, some would need taller ones.

Athough solar power offers an attractive return, but investment costs are still more than double those of ground-mounted PVs. And you can't use an entire field to grow food as the panel mounts take up between 1-12% of the space depending on the crop and the PV system. But the trend for the coming years is promising.