US EditionSolar panel arrays may help sustain grasslands during drought: Study
- A June 2025 study conducted by teams affiliated with universities in Colorado and New York revealed that solar panels can enhance grassland growth in semi-arid regions of Colorado.
- The study arose from concerns about drought and water stress in Colorado's grasslands, which often receive insufficient precipitation each season.
- The study analyzed four years of observations at a solar-energy and grassland co-location site, revealing that plants receiving partial shade from the panels exhibited up to a 20% increase in growth during dry periods due to improved water availability and reduced heat stress.
- Lead researcher Sturchio highlighted that this study is the first to show how the shading effect of solar panels becomes more beneficial as aridity increases, illustrating that solar land use can simultaneously advance renewable energy production and maintain healthy grassland ecosystems.
- The findings suggest solar panel arrays could mitigate drought impacts on grasslands and promote ecosystem restoration while maintaining renewable energy goals under future climate challenges.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Solar panels help grasslands grow better during a drought, research shows
Grasses growing in the shade of a solar array were only a little less productive than those growing nearby in open grassland during years of average and above-average rainfall—but in a dry year, the shaded plants grew much better than those growing in full sun. That’s the result of a four-year study we conducted in a semi-arid grassland of northern Colorado. When choosing a location for generating solar power, consistent sunlight and interconnec…
Solar panels' shade helps boost Colorado grassland productivity in dry years
Grasses growing in the shade of a solar array were only a little less productive than those growing nearby in open grassland during years of average and above-average rainfall—but in a dry year, the shaded plants grew much ...
Science Daily
Research shows how solar arrays can aid grasslands during drought
New research shows that the presence of solar panels in Colorado's grasslands may reduce water stress, improve soil moisture levels and -- particularly during dry years -- increase plant growth by about 20% or more compared to open fields.
Solar panel arrays may help sustain grasslands during drought: Study
The placement of solar panels in Colorado’s grasslands could help decrease water stress and increase plant growth by about 20 percent during dry years, a new study has found. In these semi-arid areas, where grasslands often don’t get as much water as they need, the partial shading offered by solar systems can help plants get…
Solar panels' shade helps boost Colorado grassland productivity in dry ...
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