https://apnews.com/article/climate-beer-solar-panels-hops-germany-ee3d00a1877837eb85053335e3b68a00 [p] Menu AP Logo Menu * U.S. * World * Politics * Video * Spotlight * Entertainment * Sports * Business * Science * Fact Check * Climate * Health * Photography * Oddities * Tech * Lifestyle * Religion * Press Releases * ... + U.S. + World o Russia-Ukraine War o Latin America o Europe o Africa o Middle East o Asia Pacific o U.S. News o Australia o China + Politics o Joe Biden o Election 2024 o Congress + Video + Spotlight + Entertainment o Movie reviews o Book reviews o Celebrity o Television o Music + Sports o MLB o NFL o NHL o NBA o WNBA o Soccer o Tennis o Golf + Business o Inflation o Financial Markets o Business Highlights + Science + Fact Check + Climate + Health + Photography + Oddities + Tech o Artificial Intelligence o Social Media + Lifestyle o Gardening o Food o Fashion o Entertainment + Religion + Press Releases [ ] Search Query Submit Search Show Search * U.S. * World + Russia-Ukraine War + Latin America + Europe + Africa + Middle East + Asia Pacific + U.S. News + Australia + China * Politics + Joe Biden + Election 2024 + Congress * Video * Spotlight * Entertainment + Movie reviews + Book reviews + Celebrity + Television + Music * Sports + MLB + NFL + NHL + NBA + WNBA + Soccer + Tennis + Golf * Business + Inflation + Financial Markets + Business Highlights * Science * Fact Check * Climate * Health * Photography * Oddities * Tech + Artificial Intelligence + Social Media * Lifestyle + Gardening + Food + Fashion + Entertainment * Religion * Press Releases * * [] The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day. * + twitter + instagram + facebook * * The Associated Press + ap.org + Careers + Accessibility Statement + Cookie Settings + Terms of Use + Privacy Policy * * More From AP News + About + AP News Values and Principles + AP's Role in Elections + AP Leads + AP Definitive Source Blog + AP Images Spotlight Blog + AP Stylebook * * Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Russian rockets are launched against Ukraine from Russia's Belgorod region, seen from Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, July 16, 2023. (AP Photo/ Vadim Belikov) Ukrainian drone hits Crimean depot Women's World Cup Women's World Cup updates International soccer superstar Lionel Messi waves as he leaves following a celebration to present him to fans one day after his signing with the Inter Miami MLS soccer team, Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Lionel Messi debut FILE - American singer Tony Bennett and 27-year-old Sandi Grant smile during the reception held at the Hilton Hotel, London on March 8, 1968, for Bennett who is in London for a concert tour. Bennett, the eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" graced a decadeslong career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, died Friday, July 21, 2023. He was 96. (AP Photo/Bob Dear, File) Remembering Tony Bennett This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling, left, and Margot Robbie in a scene from "Barbie." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP) 'Barbenheimer' arrives Climate Hops for beer flourish under solar panels. They're not the only crop thriving in the shade. Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 1 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 2 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 3 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More Solar panels are mounted poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 4 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More Solar panels are mounted on 20 feet (six meters) high poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader) 5 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on 20 feet (six meters) high poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 6 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More Hops for beer flourish under solar panels. They're not the only crop thriving in the shade. Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 1 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More 1 of 6 Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 2 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More 2 of 6 Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 3 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More 3 of 6 Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Solar panels are mounted poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 4 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More 4 of 6 Solar panels are mounted poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Solar panels are mounted on 20 feet (six meters) high poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader) 5 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on 20 feet (six meters) high poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More 5 of 6 Solar panels are mounted on 20 feet (six meters) high poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) 6 of 6 | Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Read More 6 of 6 Solar panels are mounted on poles above a hops field near Au in der Hallertau, Germany, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) ASSOCIATED PRESS Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print Read More By MATTHIAS SCHRADER and DANA BELTAJI Published [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Share Share * Copy Link copied * Email * Facebook * Twitter * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Print AU in der HALLERTAU, Germany (AP) -- Bright green vines snake upwards 20 feet (six meters) toward an umbrella of solar panels at Josef Wimmer's farm in Bavaria. He grows hops, used to make beer, and in recent years has also been generating electricity, with solar panels sprawled across 1.3 hectares (32 acres) of his land in the small hop-making town of Au in der Hallertau, an hour north of Munich in southern Germany. The pilot project -- a collaboration between Wimmer and local solar technology company Hallertauer Handelshaus -- was set up in the fall of last year. The electricity made at this farm can power around 250 households, and the hops get shade they'll need more often as climate change turbocharges summer heat. Other news This photograph provided by William Collins shows the string bean fields that were decimated at his farm's fields by flood waters about a week earlier at Fair Weather Growers, Sunday July 16, 2023, in Rocky Hill, Conn. Prior to the flooding, the fields were thriving. When devastating rains swept through the region, farmers in the Northeast were dealt a devastating blow at the worst possible time. (William Collins photo via AP) Northeast floods devastate farmers as months of labor and crops are swept away When rains swept through the Northeast, farmers in the region were dealt a devastating blow at the worst possible time. FILE - An employee of the Romanian grain handling operator Comvex oversees the unloading of Ukrainian cereals from a barge in the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania, on June 21, 2022. Five European Union countries will extend their ban on Ukrainian grain to protect their farmers' interests. But agriculture ministers from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania said Wednesday, July 19, 2023 that food can still move through their land to parts of the world in need after Russia pulled out of a deal allowing Black Sea shipments. (AP Photo/ Vadim Ghirda, File) Five European countries will extend ban on Ukraine's grain but let it head to other places Five European Union countries will extend their ban on Ukrainian grain to protect their farmers' interests. A man displays imported and local grain in Dawanau International Market in Kano Nigeria, Friday, July 14, 2023. Nigeria introduced programs before and during Russia's war in Ukraine to make Africa's largest economy self-reliant in wheat production. But climate fallout and insecurity in the northern part of the country where grains are largely grown has hindered the effort. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) Climate and violence hobble Nigeria's push to rely on its own wheat after the hit from Russia's war Nigeria is trying to make Africa's largest economy reliant on its own wheat production. But climate change and violence in the northern part of the country, where grains are largely grown, have hindered these efforts. This photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, shows two Russian 152 mm self-propelled howitzers fire toward Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Russia strikes Ukraine's critical port facilities in Odesa after halting grain deal Russia unleashed intense overnight drone and missile attacks that officials said damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounded at least 12 people. Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. Researchers look into making the best use of agricultural land, and farmers seek ways to shield their crops from blistering heat, keep in moisture and potentially increase yields. The team in Germany says its effort is the first agrivoltaic project that's solely focused on hops, but projects have sprouted around the world in several countries for a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables. Beer-making hops can suffer if exposed to too much sun, said Bernhard Gruber, who's managing the project's solar component -- and since there were already solar installations on the farm, it made sense to give them a second purpose by mounting them on poles above the crops. In addition to shielding plants from solar stress, the shade could mean "water from precipitation lasts longer, leaving more in the soil" and that "the hops stay healthier and are less susceptible to diseases," Gruber said. A scientific analysis of the benefits for the plants will be concluded in October. The farm is working with researchers to understand how to get the balance right, so the hops get enough shade and sunlight for the best harvests each year. In the U.K., where weather is also getting hotter and more variable, a team of researchers is looking at how to retrofit solar panels onto greenhouses or polytunnels -- frames covered in plastic where crops grow underneath -- with semi-transparent or transparent installations. "You can get your renewables from the land that you do have covered and you don't need to do these massive solar arrays on good agricultural land, which is what you've tended to see around to date," said Elinor Thompson, a reader at Greenwich University who's leading the research. Thompson, a plant biologist, and her team are working with a fruit farm in Kent in southern England to make sure the plants also get the best out of solar structures. "Nobody can afford to lose crop, especially in current conditions," she said. "We are assuming that British summers are going to get hotter, we have a problem with water shortages, we need to be efficient in all parts of agriculture." Having shade where it's useful and monitoring the effects of different arrangements of solar panels on a variety of crops will help the world prepare for a more climate-variable future, Thompson said. In East Africa, which has suffered from a long and punishing drought that scientists said was worsened by human-caused climate change, solar panels can also help keep moisture in plants and soil and reduce the amount of water needed, said Richard Randle-Boggis, a research associate at the University of Sheffield who's developing two agrivoltaic systems in Kenya and Tanzania. Randle-Boggis said the systems can be used for "climate change resilience and a way of improving the growing environment for crops, while also providing low carbon electricity." He said that some of the crops under the partial shade of solar panels are using around 16% less irrigation. The solar-covered farms saw increased yields for maize, Swiss chard and beans, and while growers experienced lower yields for onions and sweet peppers, they still had the added benefit of clean electricity generation. But crop yields can also "vary depending on the weather conditions because we're seeing the climate changing," said Randle-Boggis, although he added he was "really surprised and impressed with some of the results that we're seeing" for solar-covered crops. "Maize is grown by about 50% of farmers in Tanzania. Maize is also a sun loving plant. So the fact that we had an 11% yield increase in maize ... is a phenomenal result," he said. And Randle-Boggis said these projects can continue to be replicated around the world for many different crops, as long as systems are "designed with the local context in mind." A future with more crops under solar is Gruber's hope for beer-making hops, too. "At the end of the year we will set up another solar park over hops," which will have about 10 times the electricity-generating potential as the current project, Gruber said. But that's still just the beginning. "We're getting lots of inquires from hop farmers," he said, "even from abroad." ___ Beltaji reported from London. ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. [] The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day. * The Associated Press + ap.org + Careers + Accessibility Statement + Cookie Settings + Terms of Use + Privacy Policy * More From AP News + About + AP News Values and Principles + AP's Role in Elections + AP Leads + AP Definitive Source Blog + AP Images Spotlight Blog + AP Stylebook Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. * twitter * instagram * facebook