In 2019, Purdue began growing corn and soybeans around solar panels in Indiana; after 4 years, even the most shaded corn plots lost only 7.7 percent of their yield

Purdue University researchers have been examining how solar panels affect crop production since 2019, particularly focusing on corn and soybeans, two key crops in America. Their experiments show that significant crop yields are still possible despite shading from solar arrays. The study aims to refine solar panel designs that provide energy while also benefiting agriculture, paving the way for solar energy to support irrigation and farming operations.