Agrivoltaics is a production system that allows for dual land use through the deployment of solar panels for energy production while maintaining agricultural production underneath and/or between solar panels. This study was conducted at the Alliant Solar farm at Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Treatments included bell pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘SVPB8415’) grown between and outside (open-field) the solar panels. For the solar panel treatment, two raised beds with white plastic mulch were created on each side of the single-axis solar tracking panels. Each bed was 19.5m long. Two beds on each side were spaced 1.5m (center to center). Two rows of open-field peppers served as the control treatment. Control beds were 6.7m long. All treatments were replicated three times. Peppers were transplanted on June 6, 2024 at 0.3m spacing, double row. HOBO soil temperature, air temperature, and light intensity sensors were installed on the same day. No pesticides were needed to manage pests. A total of 6 harvests occurred throughout the season on a weekly basis between September 6 and October 14. Plants between the solar panels yielded 52.1 kg per row while the open-field yielded 27.0 kg, a 48% increase in the solar treatment. From June to September, the air temperature was cooler than the control on average by 4 degrees Fahrenheit while the soil temperature was 3 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. Based on first year results, bell peppers show promise within an agrivoltaics production system. More data will be collected in the coming years on plant growth characteristics, soil moisture, and postharvest quality of peppers.
