The Economic Times

In 20222023, Bar-Ilan University grew tomatoes between 24 tracking solar modules; the most shaded rows saw fruit yields fall by up to 57%

Research conducted by Bar-Ilan University delved into the concept of agrivoltaics, where solar panels and crop growth coexist. The findings showed a marked decrease in tomato yields due to shading effects from the panels. Yet, in arid climates, this shading might alleviate drought pressures on crops. To maximize the effectiveness of agrivoltaic installations, optimizing the arrangement of panels and crop rows is vital, aiming to harmonize food and energy production.