By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University is advancing a new approach to farming with support from a $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant. The project will create the first outdoor research lab designed to study how solar panels can be used alongside crops to support farmers while also improving the environment.
The effort is led by Assistant Professor Anthony Kendall from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Religious Studies Professor Gretel Van Wieren is one of several senior research personnel helping guide the work.
The project will begin by examining existing solar sites to understand how solar panels influence soil, water, and nearby ecosystems. Then, researchers will install a small solar array near corn and soybean fields at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station.
This hands-on demonstration site will allow farmers, scientists, and community members to learn how unused or low-yield areas of farmland can be repurposed for solar energy without reducing food production.
The long-term vision is to expand the lab into a larger facility that can showcase sustainable ways to combine solar energy with agriculture.
The goal is to help farmers adapt to rising costs and unpredictable weather while supporting soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity.
Kendall explained the importance of this idea, stating, “This lab will help us teach farmers how they can harness energy from the sun to stabilize their income and ensure that they can keep producing crops for generations to come.”
The interdisciplinary project includes experts in hydrology, engineering, plant science, ecology, and community sustainability. Their research will look at benefits such as improved water retention, reduced fertilizer use, and increased habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
The team will also study how solar projects can be designed in ways that reflect local values and community needs.
As more farmers explore solar power to manage economic and environmental challenges, this research will help provide reliable, science-based information.
By combining agriculture, clean energy, and community engagement, the project aims to support more resilient farming systems and healthier landscapes for the future.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Energy, Sustainable Agriculture