Researchers study farming between solar panel rows

By Blake Jackson

Cornell University researchers are exploring how crops can be cultivated alongside solar power generation by planting between rows of panels on New York solar farms. Their work aims to generate data that could guide farmers and policymakers as the state expands renewable energy while protecting farmland. New York’s large-scale solar projects already occupy nearly 9,300 acres, making dual land use an increasingly important issue.

The first study, published July 29 in Environmental Research Food Systems, examined a 2024 fall planting of radishes and radicchio grown within 20-foot spaces between solar panels on a Greenbacker-owned farm near Albany.

Researchers discovered that shading from panels in the morning and evening reduced sunlight and leaf temperature, which lowered biomass and yields particularly for radishes, where below-ground growth was stunted.

“The environment limited the ability of these crops to produce the same yield as in the control environment,” said postdoctoral associate Matt Sturchio from Cornell’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.

Despite these challenges, researchers see potential for better results with different timing and crop choices. “If growth is delayed somewhat in fall crops in the solar panels, that might mean that maybe we want to plant a little earlier, and plan to harvest later, which might not be bad, because it will space out the harvesting,” said Toni DiTommaso, professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science Soil and Crop Section.

The ongoing project now includes strawberries, raspberries, winter wheat, soybeans, zucchini, peppers, chard, and dry beans, with early plantings showing promise.

Co-principal investigators DiTommaso and Steve Grodsky are focused on identifying crops that can thrive under partial shade to provide practical recommendations.

“We’re trying to grow a slew of these crops to see which ones have potential, so that we can provide data, science-based information to policymakers and to farmers who may be thinking of getting involved,” DiTommaso said.

Researchers also note lessons from Europe, where panels are being oriented parallel to the sun’s rays to allow more light through, reducing shading effects. “In redesigning these systems, we’d really want to put both the cropping and renewable energy at equal levels,” DiTommaso added.

This research is supported by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets through the Cornell Center for Agrivoltaics.

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