By M. Charles Gould
Researchers from The Ohio State University Extension say growing alfalfa and grass hay between utility-scale solar arrays may offer a scalable, economically viable path forward for agrivoltaics in the Midwest.
During the MI Ag Ideas virtual session Growing Grass and Alfalfa Hay Between Solar Arrays hosted by Michigan State University Extension, Extension Field Specialist Eric Romich and Assistant Professor and State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist Brady Campbell shared early findings from a U.S. Department of Energy–funded research project examining forage production inside an operating solar facility in Ohio.
“This is a topic that is relevant in many states across the Midwest,” Romich said. “Hopefully, there’s something related to this research that you can take and apply to your communities back home.”
The project focuses on forage crops—specifically alfalfa and a cool-season grass hay mix as a practical agrivoltaic solution that can function at megawatt scale. According to Romich, most agrivoltaic projects nationally remain small and focus primarily on pollinator habitat or grazing. “We were really interested in trying to find solutions that were scalable and economical.”
The research team established replicated forage plots between solar arrays and compared yields to control plots planted outside the array. Over two growing seasons, researchers collected data on forage yield, quality, equipment performance and soil compaction.
Despite drought conditions during the establishment year, results were encouraging. In the second year, alfalfa grown between panels produced yields comparable to control plots, even at reduced seeding rates. Campbell said that the finding has important cost implications. “You could actually get the same amount of yield and save 25% on your seed cost,” he noted.
Source : msu.edu