Vertical Agrivoltaics Boost Oat Yields

Vertical agrivoltaics lift oat production in Sweden

Researchers at Mälardalen University found that oats grown under a vertical agrivoltaic (AV) system produced more dry‑matter biomass than those in traditional open‑field plots, even after accounting for the 10 % land area occupied by the panels. The study, carried out during the 2024 growing season, compared three setups – a vertical AV array, a ground‑mounted AV array and a control field with no panels – and measured leaf‑area index, kernel weight, protein and fat content, among other parameters.

The vertical system comprised 60 bifacial PV modules arranged in north‑south rows, while the ground‑mounted array used 32 modules in two rows. Both configurations were rain‑fed, received the same fertilisation regime and were sown in May 2024 on a slightly acidic clay‑loam soil. Continuous weather monitoring captured vapor‑pressure deficit, temperature, humidity and precipitation, allowing the team to isolate the micro‑climatic effects of shading and airflow created by the vertical panels.

Higher leaf‑area index and biomass under the vertical array

"Oat development, as measured by leaf‑area index, was greater under the vertical system than under ground‑mounted conditions," said corresponding author Arash Khosravi. When the panel‑footprint loss was ignored, total oat dry‑matter yield under the vertical AV was higher than in the open field, indicating a net productivity gain. Even after deducting the 10 % land loss, the vertical AV produced only a small difference in biomass compared with the open field – a negligible difference given the simultaneous electricity generation.

Grain quality remains unchanged

The researchers also examined crude protein and crude fat as quality markers. Their analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the AV treatments and the open‑field control, meaning that the vertical panels did not compromise oat nutritional value.

Broader research context

The same university team previously reported on barley grown under a similar vertical AV system in 2023, finding comparable yield benefits. In addition, they have published an algorithm to optimise electricity output from vertically mounted bifacial modules and a GIS‑based method for locating suitable AV sites — efforts that together build a data‑driven foundation for scaling agrivoltaics (https://www.pv-magazine.com)(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110123)(https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-agrivoltaics-oats-2024-09-01).

What it means for Israel

Israel’s solar market is already mature, with typical residential installations costing about ₪3,150 /kWp and yielding roughly 1,700 kWh /kWp per year in the central region. Using those benchmark figures, a 10 kWp rooftop system would generate ~17,000 kWh annually, worth about ₪8,160 at the residential tariff of ₪0.48 /kWh. The upfront cost of ₪31,500 would be recouped in roughly 3.9 years, leaving over 20 years of net profit.

If a vertical agrivoltaic concept were adapted to Israeli farms—stacking bifacial panels on existing cropland—the electricity generated could offset grid purchases while crops maintain their yields, providing an additional source of revenue and supporting the country’s renewable energy goals.

Outlook: scaling dual‑use solar

The Swedish results demonstrate that vertical agrivoltaics can boost or at least maintain crop biomass while delivering clean power. As algorithms improve and site‑selection tools mature, policymakers worldwide—including Israel’s Electricity Authority and grid operator NOGA—will have concrete data to design incentives and zoning rules that encourage dual‑use installations. The next research steps involve long‑term field trials across different climates and crops, and life‑cycle analyses to quantify CO₂ savings (≈0.5 kg CO₂ avoided per kWh generated).

Bottom line: Vertical agrivoltaic systems are proving that solar panels don’t have to compete with food; they can coexist and even enhance agricultural output, offering a compelling pathway for Israel to meet its renewable targets while preserving valuable farmland.