Farming under solar panels?

MSU researchers test a new model for Michigan agriculture

A farmer harvests alfalfa beneath a row of solar panels in a dual-use field. The agrivoltaics system allows for both crop production and renewable energy generation.

Could the farms of the future harvest apples and solar energy at the same time?

Michigan State University researchers are testing that question through a promising approach called agrivoltaics—integrating agriculture and solar power production on the same land. At the university’s Hart Research and Extension Center, scientists have installed rows of solar panels above apple orchards to explore whether this dual-use model can boost farm viability while contributing to Michigan’s clean energy goals.

This pilot project is about more than just growing apples in partial shade. The team is measuring everything from crop yields and soil health to energy output and long-term cost-effectiveness. They’re also examining whether this system could benefit farmers by conserving water, generating new income streams, and protecting crops from weather extremes. Early ideas include pairing shade-tolerant plants, grazing sheep between panel rows, and reducing water evaporation—all while producing renewable power.

If successful, MSU’s research could offer a blueprint for farmers across the state, showing that they don’t have to choose between food production and clean energy—they can have both. It’s a vision that could reshape rural economies and help Michigan address climate change without sacrificing farmland.

Read the full article here: Farming under solar panels? MSU researchers test a new model for Michigan agriculture