Solar panels help grasslands grow better during a drought, research shows

A four-year study in a semi-arid grassland in northern Colorado found that grasses growing in the shade of a solar array were only slightly less productive than those growing in open grassland during years of average and above-average rainfall. However, in a dry year, the shaded plants grew much better than those growing in full sun. Solar panels create microclimates by redirecting rain to the edge of panels and shading plants, which affects plant stress and water loss. The study found evidence of "aridity mitigation potential," where growth benefits from reduced water stress outweigh potential reductions in growth from shading. This could provide more available food for grazing animals and help offset economic harm from drought in rangelands. The research was limited to a grassland dominated by a cool-season grass, but future work will focus on native shortgrass prairies to provide new information on plant water use, soils, and grazing management in an ecosystem with even greater aridity. The goal is to ensure an ecologically informed solar energy future. The study's results could inform sustainable solar development in grasslands, which are prime targets for solar development in Colorado due to consistent sunlight and interconnection to the electric grid. Grasslands provide important habitat for wildlife and serve as a critical food source for livestock, but a warmer climate has increased the potential for more frequent and severe drought.