Solar Energy Applications for Agriculture: A Review

Various solar energy harvesting technologies have been developed and tested for agricultural applications. Renewable energies such as biomass, solar, and wind energy offer long-term energy sources for farmers and can replace other fuels. Many renewable energy technologies are used in agriculture, depending on the type of energy required, the availability of renewable energy sources, and the design of agricultural structures and processes. Solar energy is used in agriculture for a variety of purposes to increase self-sufficiency, save money and bills, and reduce pollution when replaced with other fuels. Solar collectors can be used to dry plants and heat homes, barns, and greenhouses. These include solar thermal and electrical devices such as photovoltaics, solar water pumps, solar dryers, solar greenhouse heating, livestock ventilation, and solar aeration pumps, which can be powered by photovoltaics (solar panels). This article describes different types of applications used for agricultural purposes.