Rutgers experiment on growing soybeans under solar panels

In 2024 in New Jersey, Rutgers University implemented an agrivoltaics pilot project. Researchers studied the yield parameters of soybean planted between solar panels. The first harvest demonstrated that systems with both single and dual panels outperformed plots without panels.

At the same time, the analysis of the first harvest showed no significant difference in yield between the two tested solar panel design options. Scientists note that the obtained data are preliminary, and the experiment results were influenced by the unique dry conditions of 2024, which required additional irrigation. The authors emphasize the need for further research to understand the long-term potential of combining agriculture and solar energy.