The present disclosure provides a method in an agrivoltaic system comprising photovoltaic panels disposed to cast a shadow on plants when irradiated by sunlight. The photovoltaic panels are controllable for adjusting said shadow. The method comprises obtaining a comparison signal indicative of a comparison between a temperature of ambient air and a temperature of the plants; and controlling one or more of said photovoltaic panels to adjust the shadow cast by said one or more photovoltaic panels on the plants using said comparison signal.

The present invention relates to a modular and scalable system for intelligent vertical farming infrastructure, using the latest in water recycling sciences, and artificial-intelligence based automation. This helps to combat the issue of sustainable Agriculture+its minimizing usage of water, energy, and space. It combines a vertical farming structure with multiple levels of cultivation with an irrigation and drainage system to achieve recirculation of water. The water recycling unit consists of rainwater harvesting, wastewater collection and multi-stage treatment subsystems, which can guarantee a continuous supply of high-quality recycled water for irrigation. The invention also combines a network of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors and AI-based control circuitry to track and manage environmental conditions (e.g. light intensity, humidity, temperature, and nutrient levels).

A method of extracting water-soluble minerals from an arid location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). A perforated, transparent cover sheet is placed on or above the mat. Water is applied to the SAP, such that both edible and dam-constructing vegetation grows and matures from the mat. Beavers are introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct a dam that blocks the channel, thereby flooding a region proximate the channel. After the flood water has dissolved the minerals in the flooded region, it is drained and processed to extract the minerals. The drained water can be remotely processed, or directed to an evaporation pond, where the minerals remain while the water is evaporated, recaptured, and reintroduced into the channel.

A method of extracting water-soluble minerals from an arid location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). A perforated, transparent cover sheet is placed on or above the mat. Water is applied to the SAP, such that both edible and dam-constructing vegetation grows and matures from the mat. Beavers are introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct a dam that blocks the channel, thereby flooding a region proximate the channel. After the flood water has dissolved the minerals in the flooded region, it is drained and processed to extract the minerals. The drained water can be remotely processed, or directed to an evaporation pond, where the minerals remain while the water is evaporated, recaptured, and reintroduced into the channel.

An apparatus and method for growing vegetation in a hot, arid, coastal location includes installing, at or below grade, a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP), the mat being cooperative with a thermally conductive network in thermal communication with an evaporative panel that is cooled by seawater evaporation, thereby drawing heat away from the mat. A seawater reservoir can collect seawater draining from the cooling panel. A pumping system can recirculate the collected seawater to the cooling panel, thereby converting the seawater into brine, which can be periodically transferred to a drying tray for production of salt. A perforated, transparent or translucent cover sheet can be placed on or suspended above the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cooling panel can be incorporated into a wall of a cooling greenhouse that surrounds and contains the mat.

An apparatus and method for growing vegetation in a hot, arid, coastal location includes installing, at or below grade, a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP), the mat being cooperative with a thermally conductive network in thermal communication with an evaporative panel that is cooled by seawater evaporation, thereby drawing heat away from the mat. A seawater reservoir can collect seawater draining from the cooling panel. A pumping system can recirculate the collected seawater to the cooling panel, thereby converting the seawater into brine, which can be periodically transferred to a drying tray for production of salt. A perforated, transparent or translucent cover sheet can be placed on or suspended above the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cooling panel can be incorporated into a wall of a cooling greenhouse that surrounds and contains the mat.

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for sunlight delivery, shoot positioning, canopy division, positioning fruit into distinct zones, managing fruit maturity and quality, rain, wind, and hail protection, and reducing canopy management and harvest labor of one or more plants on a trellis comprising one or more panels and a standoff, wherein the panels divide the growth of plant shoots on the trellis, thereby modifying growth or development of the plants. In some embodiments, the panels collect light energy and direct the collected light energy to the plants, thereby modifying growth or development of the plants and their producing of fruit.

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for sunlight delivery, shoot positioning, canopy division, positioning fruit into distinct zones, managing fruit maturity and quality, rain, wind, and hail protection, and reducing canopy management and harvest labor of one or more plants on a trellis comprising one or more panels and a standoff, wherein the panels divide the growth of plant shoots on the trellis, thereby modifying growth or development of the plants. In some embodiments, the panels collect light energy and direct the collected light energy to the plants, thereby modifying growth or development of the plants and their producing of fruit.

The invention relates to a device for forming a canopy over a region in the outdoors, comprising a flat element and a support assembly with supports, wherein the support assembly can be anchored to a ground surface of the region, and wherein the flat element supported by the support assembly functions to form an areal protective canopy over the region, wherein a section of the flat element extends along a ridge region of the protective canopy. According to the invention, a solar cell module is provided, which is connected to the flat element, such that, with light irradiation on the solar cell module, light energy can be converted into electrical energy, wherein a quick-closure mechanism comprising zip-closure mechanism with a zip-closure unit are provided, in order to detachably arrange a solar cell module on the flat element using the zip closure mechanism.

The invention relates to a device for forming a canopy over a region in the outdoors, comprising a flat element and a support assembly with supports, wherein the support assembly can be anchored to a ground surface of the region, and wherein the flat element supported by the support assembly functions to form an areal protective canopy over the region, wherein a section of the flat element extends along a ridge region of the protective canopy. According to the invention, a solar cell module is provided, which is connected to the flat element, such that, with light irradiation on the solar cell module, light energy can be converted into electrical energy, wherein a quick-closure mechanism comprising zip-closure mechanism with a zip-closure unit are provided, in order to detachably arrange a solar cell module on the flat element using the zip closure mechanism.