Why Egyptian farmers are growing crops under solar panels

Egyptian farmers, facing water shortages and rising heat, are testing agrivoltaics — installing solar panels above fields to generate electricity while shading crops and cutting evaporation. Two pilot projects, backed by various funders including the renewable energy company 3E, are underway, with panels arranged checkerboard-style so light still reaches the plants.

Early findings elsewhere back the concept: Colorado rooftop trials reportedly used a third as much water, and a South Sinai farm run by Habiba Community says watermelons installed under panels in May are doing well for the first time. The panels' electricity currently powers irrigation, with desalination floated as a future use.

Organizers say they're still collecting data on both plant and panel performance before deciding how communities should structure ownership or share the power generated — details that remain, appropriately, unresolved.

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