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Forage Production and Harvest within Utility Scale Solar

Agronomy & Pest Management

Amanda Douridas
Extension Educator
OSU, Madison County
London

Abstract

There is limited research evaluating agrivoltaic production in midwestern (USA) growing conditions as utility-scale solar is relatively new to this region. In Ohio, solar energy generates roughly 1.4% of electricity produced, however, this figure is expected to increase by nearly 10% over the next decade (1). Agrivoltaics combines photovoltaic production from solar panels with agricultural production within the same space. Much of the published literature has focused on specialty crop production. Therefore, the objective of our research aimed to evaluate cool-season, alfalfa, and warm-season (teff) forage production between solar panel rows coupled with the investigation of equipment turning radii, use, and feasibility during harvest. The aforementioned crops were planted at three seeding rates (75%, 100% and 125% of recommended rate) and were compared to a 100% planting rate outside of the solar panel rows but within the solar facility to serve as a control. We used a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. Measurements evaluated during the first year of production were forage yield, quality, and soil compaction. Results demonstrated that alfalfa yields within the panels were comparable to the control (1.7 to 2 tons/acre, no statistical difference). Cool-season hay yields were statistically greater within the panels with the 100% seeding rate yielding 2.6 tons/acre and the control yielding 2.0 tons/acre. Crude protein was similar between the control and panel plantings across forage species. In terms of soil compaction remediation, data demonstrate that one year of crop production was able to reduce compaction caused by site installation. Several key lessons were learned and are applicable to those implementing agrivoltaic production. A few examples of lessons learned include the importance of post-construction drainage management and turning radii, alley obstructions, and row spacing should be considered prior to facility layout and construction if agrivoltaics are to be implemented on the site. (1) Penland, G., & Sohngen, B. (2024, February). The economics of solar development in Ohio [PDF]. Ohio State University. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/njf7xjw8jsdibuvimdvdu/The-Economics-of-Solar-Development-in-Ohio_Febraury-2024_Final.pdf?dl=0

Authors: Amanda Douridas, Braden Campbell, Trevor Corboy, Christine Gelley, Elizabeth Hawkins, Eric Romich, Andrew Klopfenstein, Scott Shearer
  1. Amanda Douridas Extension Educator, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43140
  2. Braden Campbell Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 44691
  3. Trevor Corboy Extension Educator, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 45121
  4. Christine Gelley Extension Educator, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43724
  5. Elizabeth Hawkins Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 45117
  6. Eric Romich Field Specialist, Energy Development, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43351
  7. Andrew Klopfenstein Senior Research Associate Engineer, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43210
  8. Scott Shearer Professor and Chair, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43210