Researchers at Aarhus University are testing vertically mounted solar panels that, unlike traditional setups, allow for the simultaneous cultivation of crops like wheat and clover. The vertical solar panels could potentially enable farmers to harvest both energy and food from the same field. This new approach could lead to saving agricultural land.
New Vertical Solar Panels Aim to Save Agricultural Land
In Denmark, the debate over placing solar panels on farmland has often sparked heated discussions. As the country pushes to expand green energy, vast areas of agricultural land are being converted for solar power generation, a transition that many farmers and rural residents view with concern. But scientists from Aarhus University in Foulum are experimenting with a more harmonious solution: installing solar panels vertically so that crops can still grow in between them.
The research team tested this method over a two-year period, comparing vertically installed panels to conventional south-facing tilted panels. A key finding is that the vertical arrangement leads to slightly less electricity production overall, but it aligns better with the daily peak electricity demand, generating more power during early mornings and late afternoons when power is more valuable.
Dual Use: Electricity and Agriculture
The study focused on evaluating whether yields of key crops such as wheat and clovergrass would be significantly affected under the shade of these vertically aligned solar panels, and the results were promising. Yields for wheat were nearly the same as on adjacent, unobstructed fields, while clovergrass actually showed a slight increase in yield between the panels.
The experimental setup involved placing solar panels with 11-meter-wide gaps in between, allowing standard farming machinery to navigate the fields. This setup offers a potential win-win scenario in which both solar energy and food crops can be harvested from the same land area, a concept known as agrivoltaics.
Economic and Practical Considerations Regarding Vertical Solar Panels
While the concept holds clear environmental and economic appeal, researchers acknowledge that the transition will require more than just proof of concept. Economically, the feasibility depends on cost-effectiveness and return on investment. As installation costs for solar panels remain substantial, landowners and farmers will need clear financial incentives or support structures to adopt this system on a larger scale.
From a practical standpoint, farming around vertical panels introduces new challenges. Farmers must adjust their equipment and operations to protect the panels, avoiding accidental contact or throwing stones against the units. Integrating vertical panels into traditional farming operations might require innovation in tractor design or entirely new machinery.
Potential for Robotic Farming
To solve the logistical challenges, one possible future scenario is the use of autonomous agricultural robots. These machines could be designed to navigate the narrow routes between solar panel installations, performing tasks such as seeding, maintenance, and harvesting without disrupting the energy infrastructure. Since the solar panels provide a local power source, energy-hungry robots could operate efficiently without reliance on external fuel.
Although robotic systems are not yet widespread or fully adapted to such environments, researchers believe that with adequate development, they could become a key component in combining solar and agricultural productivity.
Industry and Academic Support
The project is backed by a collaboration of institutions including the Department of Agroecology, Department of Engineering, Department of Food Science, and the iClimate research center at Aarhus University, along with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Their joint study has been published in the academic journal Energy Nexus, signaling international scientific recognition.
With Denmark and other European nations under growing pressure to meet sustainability targets while maintaining food security, the ability to dual-utilize land could provide a crucial advantage. Only about 61% of Denmark’s land is used for agriculture, and mounting environmental regulations make it unlikely that more land will become available for farming or solar projects. This makes efficient land use more essential than ever.
Next Steps for Agrivoltaics
The research team now aims to expand their trials to a larger scale, incorporating local community feedback and real-world farming conditions into their ongoing development. In the coming years, if large-scale field trials validate the findings, agrivoltaic systems could offer a transformative approach to renewable energy deployment in agricultural economies like Denmark’s.
The integration of vertical solar panels into working farmland may well become a model for sustainable energy generation across Europe, maximizing land use, reducing land conflicts, and maintaining food production alongside climate action.
