Groundbreaking research studies the relationships between solar energy, plants and animals

Solar projects are cropping up across the Midwest as energy companies plant the seeds of zero-fuel-cost energy generation.

Renewable energy isn’t the only thing growing with these projects thanks to research into agrivoltaics and increased understanding of the importance of native pollinator habitat.

Growing crops

The Department of Energy (DOE) visited the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University last month where researchers are studying the possibilities of using land for agriculture and solar energy generation simultaneously. This is called agrivoltaics. This year the farm grew peppers, strawberries, summer squash and more.

Iowa State University conducts this research with the help of a $1.8 million DOE grant. The farm’s solar array consists of stationary and rotating panels, each at two different heights to compare the effects on growing conditions.

The researchers mimicked traditional farming operations to make the results more applicable to the wider agriculture industry. As the first harvest season comes to a close, primary researcher Ajay Nair indicated some early successes, but it’ll take a few years to confirm any results.

Pollinator research

Pollinator habitat has vanished across the Midwest for a variety of reasons, including loss of habitat, use of pesticides and changing climate conditions. Solar projects are an opportunity to understand how much habitat we need to sustain bee colonies, and to make a difference.

We at Alliant Energy partnered with Hy-Vee and Iowa State University to maintain an apiary at the Hy-Vee Chariton Solar Field.

The goal is for the honeybee population to thrive at a small solar array, with a local education group taking ownership of the apiary beginning in year two, to showcase what efforts we need on a larger scale to grow the pollinator population.

Through efforts like these, research and solar energy are coming together for the betterment of our customers and the communities we serve.

Findings could help support farmers and agriculture across the Midwest, keep the vital food supply chain strong and generate more clean energy. Find additional information about these research opportunities at alliantenergy.com/customerhostedsolar.