The University of Wisconsin – Madison Kegonsa Research Campus was designed to enable agrivoltaics research, to better understand how renewable energy and agriculture can be co-located. The array features three distinct types of racking and various spacing between rows of the solar array to facilitate research, education, and demonstration. The site is open to researchers from all Universities of Wisconsin campuses, Extension, and other partners. If you are interested in conducting research at the site, please contact Josh Arnold.
Microclimate and Greenhouse Gases
Researchers: Ankur Desai, Jonathan Thom, and Emily Mather, University of Wisconsin - Madison
The Ecometeorology lab studies how local ecosystems and structures impact and are impacted by climate. Two towers, one in the array, and one outside the array, directly monitor meteorology and exchanges or fluxes of heat, momentum, water, and carbon dioxide between the surface and atmosphere 24/7 at 30-minute intervals using the eddy covariance technique. Additional observations include visible and infrared cameras, solar and infrared radiation sensors, and distributed measurements of temperature and observations to observe wind tunnel effects.
Migratory Birds and Wildlife
Researchers: M. McPhee, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
In the arid Southwestern United States, large-scale solar arrays are sites of numerous bird-solar panel collisions, resulting in significant mortality of a wide range of bird species. These collisions are hypothesized to occur because, in the desert, birds perceive solar panels as water bodies and thus attempt to land on them. Wisconsin and the Upper Midwestern United States has abundant water sources and different migratory communities of birds which may mean that the rates of mortality in this geographic area are different than those in the southwestern United States. This research team will monitor the array for signs of bird collisions and use of the array by predators and nesting birds.
Monitoring the Changes in Soil Properties and Functions on Solar Farms
Researchers: Jingyi Huang, University of Wisconsin - Madison
A research team has collected soil samples prior to construction, and will conduct long-term monitoring of soil properties and functions (moisture, bulk density, organic carbon, nutrients, and soil health indicators) via field sampling and soil process modeling to understand the impacts of solar farm construction on soil properties and functions.
Currant Cultivar Trial
Researchers: Lillian M. Hislop, Savanna Institute; Amaya Atucha, Tom Bryan, and Steffan Mirsky, University of Wisconsin - Madison
The Savanna Institute and University of Wisconsin - Madison scientists are conducting a currant (Ribes spp.) cultivar trial under full sun and three solar panel treatments. The purpose of this study is to learn about berry agronomy, yield, and management in these unique systems, and communicate our findings with the public. Our study is looking at the feasibility of growing red, white, and black currants (Ribes spp.) between solar panels. Currants were chosen as they are shade tolerant, machine harvestable, and easily kept below height specifications set by utility companies.
Ecohydrology
Researchers: Doe Han and Steve Loheide, University of Wisconsin - Madison
A research team will investigate the interactions between ecological and hydrological processes (rainwater infiltration, depth to water table). Data collected will monitor changes to soil and water due to the change in land use from agriculture (i.e. cultivation of corn and soybeans) to hosting solar panels and pollinator-friendly ground cover.
Forage for Solar Grazing
Researchers: Jason Cavadini, Will Fulwider, Carolyn Ihde, and Diane Mayerfeld, UW - Madison Extension
Sheep grazing of solar sites is the predominant, though still nascent, form of agrivoltaics in the United States. A research team will assess biomass production and forage quality of four (4) different vegetation treatments targeted towards sheep within solar arrays. Treatments will include two mixes of perennial shade-tolerant bunch grasses, sod-forming grasses, and legumes that are proven to perform in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States; alfalfa; and a pollinator mix selected by the developer. Findings will be used to provide recommendations to solar developers and farmers about plantings for solar grazing sites in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States.
Agronomic Productivity
Researchers: Chris Kucharik and Hunter Mackin, University of Wisconsin - Madison
The team will investigate land use impacts on ecosystem services, such as agronomic productivity (net primary productivity), crop development and photosynthesis, and water use. This will include studying plant phenological and physiological responses to varying environmental conditions in the array including soil moisture, temperature, and solar radiation.
Pollinator Monitoring
Researchers: James Crall and Victoria Salerno, University of Wisconsin - Madison
A research team will assess pollinator and overall insect population dynamics by surveying the site and tracking the abundance of species across the terrain throughout the solar array over time. The assess the fitness and health of pollinators, the research team plans to implement a Bee Hotel, complete with cameras and automated imaging. Bee Hotels are artificial nesting resources for bees and a useful tool to look at population dynamics, including nesting and foraging behavior, over time. The team gratefully acknowledges funding from the Climate Solutions for Health program that contributed to Bee Hotel and attendance at educational conferences.