2-Acre Vertical Farm Run by AI and Robots Out-Produces 720-Acre Flat Farm

Re:2-Acre Vertical Farm Run by AI and Robots Out-Produces 72... by giantg2 on Monday December 28, 2020 @07:23AM (#25558651)

I think the point of the verticle farm is almost moot if you are replacing fields of crops with fields of solar panels.

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Re:2-Acre Vertical Farm Run by AI and Robots Out-Produces 72... by adrianN on Monday December 28, 2020 @07:40AM (#25558748)

Solar panels are ~20% efficient, photosynthesis is around 2% efficient. You can also put solar panels on land that is not suitable for agriculture.

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Re:2-Acre Vertical Farm Run by AI and Robots Out-Produces 72... by giantg2 on Monday December 28, 2020 @08:23AM (#25558993)

That's not an accurate comparison. You are then using that 20% to power grow lights for photosynthesis. How efficient is photosynthesis using grow lights? Even if it's twice as efficient, you're then looking at 4% of 20% which is 0.8%.

Sure, this can be used used land not suitable for agriculture. I only see this really being helpful in cities that have old industrial buildings that are sitting vacant (reuse existing infrastructure and reduce transportation).

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