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 summer squash (Cucurbita pepo ‘Multipik’) 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 summer squash served as the control treatment. Control beds were 6.7m long. All treatments were replicated three times. Summer Squash was transplanted on May 31, 2024 at 0.6m spacing, single row. HOBO soil temperature, air temperature, and light intensity sensors were installed on the same day. Mustang MAXX® AND PyGanic® were sprayed to manage spotted cucumber beetles and squash bugs. A total of 31 harvests occurred throughout the season every 2 to 3 days between July 1 and September 20. Plants between the solar panels yielded 49.5 kg per row while the open-field yielded 36.5 kg, a 26% increase in the solar treatment. Between June, July, and August, the air temperature was cooler than the control on average by 3 degrees Fahrenheit while the soil temperature was 2 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. Light intensity decreased by 34% under the solar panels. Based on first year results, summer squash shows 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 summer squash.
