MSU Researchers Study Solar Energy Benefits for Farmland

By Andi Anderson

Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) are embarking on a groundbreaking project to study how solar energy systems can benefit agricultural production.

The initiative, funded by a $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant, will explore how solar arrays influence crop growth, soil quality, and water retention on farmland.

Leading the project is Dr. Anthony Kendall, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at MSU. He and his team are building an outdoor lab at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station to install 30 solar panels near corn and soybean fields.

The site will help researchers understand how solar panels interact with different agricultural ecosystems and how farms can use renewable energy more efficiently.

Kendall explained that solar panels could be installed in less productive parts of fields to maximize land use. “We’re asking what practices can help these arrays produce more benefits in the areas around them,” he said. Potential benefits include improved soil health and better water absorption.

The project takes a collaborative approach, involving MSU researchers, outreach programs, the Michigan Farm Bureau, and local farmers already engaged in university research.

Kendall emphasized that input from farmers is crucial, noting, “We hope to talk to farmers not just in the state, but in the region as well.”

Using data from the outdoor lab, researchers will create computer models predicting how different solar installations affect agricultural landscapes.

The team aims to develop “data layers” showing what outcomes farmers can expect based on soil type, location, and solar setup.

Kendall said the goal is to help farmers balance food and energy production while strengthening rural communities. “We need more energy, and solar arrays are one way to meet that need,” he said. “With thoughtful planning, farms can be part of the energy solution.”

This innovative project positions Michigan State University as a leader in combining agricultural research with renewable energy to support sustainable farming across the Midwest.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu