Ohio research project to explore how solar and farming can co-exist through agrivoltaics

Research at Madison Fields, a solar farm in Madison County, is investigating the viability of agrivoltaics, where farming is conducted between solar panels. Spanning 1,900 acres and generating 180 MW, this agrivoltaics project is one of North America’s largest tests of this approach. It aims to address concerns about large solar projects taking prime farmland out of production while helping farmers diversify their incomes.

The research will evaluate the effectiveness of various crops, such as alfalfa, hay, and soybeans, grown under solar panels. Additionally, the study will explore complementary grazing with sheep for vegetation control and assess the compatibility of farm equipment with solar infrastructure.

Funded by a $1.6 million Department of Energy grant, the agrivoltaics project will also investigate how precision agriculture technologies can be adapted for use with solar farms.

This initiative aims to balance energy production with agricultural use and could provide insights into best practices for future solar and farming projects, helping to preserve farmland amid growing urban sprawl.

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