Swedish trial shows solar panels and crops can coexist without cutting yields
Researchers grew oats beneath vertical solar panels in Sweden and found the plants maintained photosynthetic performance despite partial shading. The finding suggests agrivoltaic systems—which combine renewable energy with food production on limited land—may be viable for northern European farms without sacrificing crop output.
Originaltitel: Data on photosynthetic trend and yield performance of oat (Avena sativa L.) grown under vertical agrivoltaic system in Sweden
<p>Growing crops under agrivoltaic (AV) systems often exposes them to a modified microclimate, which can affect yield and quality. A field experiment was carried out in 2025 on oat ( Avena sativa L.) grown within a vertical AV system near Fellingsbro, Sweden. The aim of this study was to assess the growth and yield performance of oat relative to open-field reference conditions. The dataset allows analysis of oat growth by exploiting photosynthetic rate and leaf area index measurements, as well as yield performance at harvest, estimated as total biomass yield (kernel and straw combined). It also aims to explain the impact of vertical AV systems on oat photosynthetic rate, considering different positions within the system with varying shading patterns and sun exposure, and their impact on overall oat yield. These data provide insights into oat growth and yield under vertical AV systems and facilitate further analyses or comparisons across locations or AV system designs. Additionally, the dataset can support the development and validation of crop models under similar conditions and encourage collaborations to promote experimental studies on AV systems.</p>