Greg Barron-Gafford, School of Geography, Development, and Environment/Biosphere 2 s at UArizona, is hosting interns this summer working in agrivoltaics. The project investigates the potential for agrivoltaics - the colocation of agriculture + photovoltaics - as an approach to create more resilient energy, food, and water systems. Solar panels provide shade to the soils (reducing evaporation) and plants (protection from too much direct sunlight), and in return transpiration from the plants help cool the solar panels. How do different crops perform in this system? How well do different crops improve panel performance? Help us answer these and other questions!
Interns will be working with research staff, graduate students, and other undergraduates engaged in ongoing projects.
Projects might include:
1. Quantifying plant performance under PV shade vs. open sun conditions
2. Work with National Renewable Energy Lab partners to project PV performance under different agrivoltaics configurations
3. Work with local teachers to co-create experiential learning modules around agrivoltaics
4. Implement new agrivoltaic experimental arrays at Biosphere 2
5. Assist in plant, panel, and ecosystem monitoring across Southern Arizona and Colorado
Note: Interns will work at a mix of locations including UArizona campus, Biosphere 2 and schools around Tucson metro area.
Key Internship Requirements:
1. Able to work outside in summer heat of Tucson.
2. Able to work collaboratively with a diverse team.
Preferred Experience:
1. Experience working outside in some capacity
2. Experience with PV performance modeling OR an interest in learning
3. Available to travel to visit PV projects in Colorado