Soybean Yields Increase Under Solar Panels in New Jersey
A 2024 Rutgers experiment demonstrates that solar shading can support crop production during periods of low rainfall.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Energy
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Rutgers University researchers recently reported that soybeans grown under solar panels outperformed crops in open-field control plots during a 2024 experiment in New Jersey. This research-stage agrivoltaics study suggests potential benefits for crop resilience under solar arrays.
Why it matters
As land use for renewable energy competes with agriculture, finding dual-use models that maintain or improve yields is critical for regional land management. This experiment provides early evidence that shading can benefit soy production during periods of drought.
The study compared solar arrays using bifacial 450-watt panels against standard open-field plots. The single-panel configuration yielded 2.52 tonnes per hectare, significantly higher than the 1.65 tonnes per hectare observed in the control group.
The players
Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Centre
A research facility in Upper Deerfield, New Jersey, focused on crop science and sustainable agricultural practices.
The details
Researchers at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Centre deployed 567 bifacial panels—dual-sided modules that capture light from both sides—at a height of eight feet to allow farm equipment clearance. Using single-axis trackers to adjust panel angles with 34-foot row spacing, the setup provided shade during a season where rainfall totaled less than two inches after August 1. The result demonstrates that crop yields can remain robust in agrivoltaic environments by mitigating heat stress through shading.
Timeline
11 June 2024: Researchers sowed the soybean variety AG42XF1.
1 August 2024 to end of season: The crop experienced unusually low rainfall levels.
November 2024: The team completed the harvest of the soybean crop.
The Tech Race
This study contributes to the expanding field of agrivoltaics, where researchers compete to optimize panel density and crop variety for land efficiency. It benchmarks yield performance against standard, non-shaded monoculture farming practices.
Local farmers and land managers should monitor these findings as they weigh the potential for secondary revenue from solar lease agreements. While results are promising, commercial adoption will depend on long-term data regarding equipment access and soil health.
The takeaway
This experiment highlights the promise of bifacial solar arrays to support crop productivity in arid or drought-prone conditions. Interested parties should look for future peer-reviewed publications from Rutgers to verify these yield increases over subsequent growing seasons.
Further reading
Explore ongoing advancements in power infrastructure at New Jersey Energy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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