As all METARs know, the electromagnetic spectrum is made up of many wavelengths. The short wavelengths (blue light) have high energy and can be used to generate electricity. The longer wavelengths (red light) have lower energy and are used by plants for photosynthesis. Plants grown in red light are cooler and have less heat-stress than plants grown in full-spectrum sunlight.
A new technology, translucent organic photovoltaics that absorb blue but transmit red light, are being tested as photovoltaic panels that double as sun screens for food plants. A field test that included a heat wave gave a higher undamaged tomato crop yield than the control in full sun.
Lower-tech agrivoltaics built solar panels on stilts in livestock pasture. The cattle simply graze around and below the solar panels. The ranchers make money from the cattle as well as from the electricity.
The new technology would potentially allow field crops to be grown under large areas of translucent solar panels. Of course, the economics would need to pencil out since the installation cost would probably be high. But it is potentially a win-win if the technology can be developed.
Wendy