SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEDG), a global leader in smart energy technology, has been chosen by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, for a pioneering research and demonstration program to explore the potential of agrivoltaics—the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar energy generation—for farmers across the state.
Rutgers’ research will support the Dual-Use Solar Energy Pilot Program, administered by the NJBPU. This three-year, 200 MW agrivoltaics initiative aims to assess the feasibility and benefits of agrivoltaics. The program is a collaborative effort involving the NJBPU, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Development Committee, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program. Findings from this research will guide the establishment of a permanent Dual-Use Solar Program in New Jersey. The Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program includes three sites, each using different panel mounting methods to study their impact on agricultural production and electricity generation:
- Rutgers Animal Farm in New Brunswick: Vertically mounted bifacial panels for forage crops and beef cattle grazing (170 kWDC installed and grid-connected).
- Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown: Single-axis trackers for hay production (94.5 kWDC installed and 82.4 kWDC grid-connected).
- Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton: Single-axis trackers with single-wide and double-wide rows of panels for vegetable and staple crops (255 kWDC installed and 48.6 kWDC grid-connected).
Each site will evaluate electricity output using Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) for precise measurement and analysis of energy production.
“Agrivoltaics is an exciting sector that offers solutions to many challenges faced by farmers today, such as rising energy costs and the need for sustainable production. Our research aims to develop practices that improve the sustainability and viability of farms through the safe adoption of solar energy. We are thrilled to partner with SolarEdge to achieve these goals,” said Margaret Brennan-Tonetta, Director for Resource and Economic Development and Senior Associate Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
Bertrand Vandewiele, General Manager of SolarEdge in North America, added: “Agrivoltaics represents a true ‘win-win’. It expands solar development to combat climate change without the land-use challenges of traditional solar farms and provides farmers with a stable revenue stream and protection against climate hazards. The U.S. already has over 500 agrivoltaics sites producing 9 GW of solar energy, and interest in this sector is growing rapidly. This collaboration with Rutgers University will help advance sustainable and profitable farming practices.”
