Vines Grow Bigger Grapes Under Solar Panels

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVines grown under solar panels in southern Italy produced bunches nearly three times heavier than vines left in full sun, according to a University of Bari study reported by Good News Network.

2. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorNearly three times heavier from standing in the shade. I've done that for years and all I got was a lecture.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe shoots grew more than twice as long too, and it was a two-point-two-acre patch of an eight-year-old Primitivo vineyard, which is also called Zinfandel.

4. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorRight, here's the catch. Sugar in the berries fell from twenty-five point eight degrees Brix to twenty-two point nine under the heaviest shade, according to Vinetur.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the grapes are bigger and less sweet.

6. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorBigger bunches, thinner wine. That's the bit that will end up on the label, mark me.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe professor behind it says it's no catch-all, because shade tolerance varies by region and grape variety. One hot field, one grape.

8. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorMy theory is the vines were sunburnt and nobody asked them. A parasol and a good lie down fixes everything, apparently.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMine is that the grapes got a roof and a power station, and the only complaint is that the sugar went down.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI know that feeling. It's called a raise.