Research Study: Solar Panels May Benefit Some Crop Production

For some communities, they lay out a choice: grow food or produce solar energy. But why not both? The first year of an Iowa State University study found that “vegetables can thrive growing on a solar farm.”

ISU is home to the Aliant Energy Solar Farm, a 10-acre facility south of Ames. A team of researchers began year two of a four-year agrivoltaics project. The research looks at how to use the land for a combined solar and food production operation.

A $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy funded the project. Apparently, there is significant interest in the outcome of the research. Iowa State University News Service reported that grant recipients were required to hold two or three events per year for outsiders.

But the first year of the study attracted nearly 40 different groups to check on what was happening. Visitors included students, growers, nonprofits, government officials, utility companies, and other researchers, according to ISU. Some made a long trek to their visit coming from Africa and Australia.

Research question: Is growing food crops compatible with solar arrays?

Yes, according to the first year of research. “One thing we’ve for sure found out is we can grow vegetables on a commercial scale on a solar farm. Period. There’s no doubt about it. We have demonstrated the practical aspects of an operation such as this will clearly work,” said Dr. Ajay Nair, chair of the ISU Department of Horticulture. 

Crops grown: broccoli, summer squash, and bell peppers.

Possible added benefit: Planting between solar panels might provide some shade for the crops on the sweltering days in July and August. “Partial shade may help some plants cope,” Nair said.

Research question: Will fruits also possibly do better from shade caused by solar panels?

Too early to tell, since strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and honeyberries don’t usually produce a full crop in their first year. So far, so good, though, according to Nair.

RELATED: A Virginia couple made solar part of the farming operations. “LAMBscaping” is, too. 

Dr. Matt O'Neal is a professor of entomology at Iowa State University. He leads research involving the management of insect pests of annual crops, with primary emphasis on soybeans. O’Neal is also one of the agrivoltaics project’s leaders and reported that he was “overwhelmed by the positive responses” from those who have checked in on the research.

“Some visitors have been skeptical that it’s a good approach to using the land,” O’Neal acknowledged. But he added, “there generally was less skepticism as people walked through the site and saw what’s possible.”

Highlights of the solar farm:

• 3,300 panels

• 1.4 megawatts of electricity production potential

• Capable of powering 200 homes at maximum capacity.

• ISU owns and leases the land to Alliant Energy.

Researchers are expanding the project in 2025. Plots will include land between fixed-angle solar panels (the first year of research concentrated solely on tilting panels that track with the sun, researchers reported).

Tomatoes will also become part of the food production experiment. And researchers plan to focus more on increasing yield and will target a more aggressive pest control. 

RELATED: Tomatoes are part of the yearly crop for an Arkansas farm family. But as American Farmland Owner learned, so is helping other farmers get established in the industry.