Picture a field where food and energy grow side by side, without competing for space.
It may sound futuristic, but researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark have shown it’s already possible.
Their full-scale agrivoltaic project demonstrates that vertical solar panels and crops can thrive together.
The team tested two systems: traditional south-facing tilted panels and vertical, east–west-facing bifacial panels.
While the vertical panels generated a little less electricity overall, they produced it at times when demand is highest—mornings and late afternoons. This makes the electricity more valuable and easier to use.
On the farming side, the results were just as promising. Wheat and grass-clover grown between the vertical panels produced nearly the same yield as crops in open fields.
The plants weren’t harmed by the shade; in fact, they benefited from reduced wind exposure. Because the panels only cover about 10% of the field, farming continues almost as usual.
The researchers calculated that producing the same amount of food and energy separately would require 18–26% more land. In a world where land use is under pressure, that’s a major advantage.
The vertical design also has technical and environmental benefits. These panels use fewer materials, produce lower carbon emissions, and face less stress from wind. Farmers can still use standard machinery in the fields, making it easier to integrate with existing practices.
But this project isn’t just about efficiency—it’s also about acceptance. To test how people feel about vertical agrivoltaics, the researchers ran a virtual reality experiment with more than 100 participants.
The response was clear: people preferred the vertical systems.
Unlike conventional solar farms, which can look flat and industrial, vertical panels resemble modern hedgerows. They blend into the landscape while showing that the land is still productive. Participants also viewed them as more innovative and environmentally friendly.
For the researchers, the findings highlight a new path for solar power in Europe and beyond. Agrivoltaics can help solve multiple challenges at once: producing clean energy, protecting food security, and making better use of land. The next step is to monitor how crops perform across more growing seasons, but the message so far is encouraging.
As Associate Professor Marta Victoria from Aarhus University put it, “Our measurements show that wheat and grass-clover mixtures grow just as well between vertical solar panels as in open fields.
At the same time, the panels produce electricity in a daily pattern that better matches energy demand. It’s a win-win.”
In short, we don’t have to choose between wheat and watts. With smart design, we can harvest both.
