Rutgers University Explores Agrivoltaics with SolarEdge Technologies

Rutgers University Partners with SolarEdge for Agrivoltaics Research
July 1, 2024 — Rutgers University has teamed up with SolarEdge Technologies to study agrivoltaics, the practice of combining solar power generation with agriculture. The initiative, administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, forms part of the three-year Dual-Use Solar Energy Pilot Program aiming to install 200 MW of agrivoltaic systems. The research will explore the optimal integration of solar panels with farming, focusing on sustainability and economic viability.
Three project sites are involved:

1. Rutgers Animal Farm in New Brunswick, featuring vertically mounted bifacial panels for forage crops and cattle grazing.
2. Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown, with single-axis trackers for hay production.
3. Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton, using single-axis trackers for vegetable and staple crop production.
   Each site will use SolarEdge’s module-level power electronics to gather data on cost, agricultural output, and energy generation. The program also includes broader research into crop yield, livestock grazing, controlled environment agriculture, and greenhouse gas assessments.
   Bertrand Vandewiele of SolarEdge North America highlighted agrivoltaics as a "win-win" for expanding solar capacity and providing farmers with stable revenue and climate protection. The U.S. already has over 500 agrivoltaic sites contributing 9 GW to the grid, with growing interest and funding, notably from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
   This collaborative effort includes participation from several New Jersey state departments and the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program, aiming to establish best practices and economic opportunities for agrivoltaics in New Jersey.