Agrivoltaics increase winter wheat yield in Austria by 14%

Winter wheat yields at the Sonnenfeld agrivoltaic research site in Austria were 14% higher in 2026 than on a control plot without solar panels. The results were recorded during a dry summer, according to EWS.

The research site in Bruck an der Leitha has been operating since 2022 in cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, BOKU. It uses movable photovoltaic modules installed at different row spacings of 8, 11 and 14 meters.

According to EWS, the higher yields were supported by shading from the solar panels, which altered the microclimate and reduced water stress for the crop. The positive effect was particularly noticeable during the dry weather conditions of summer 2026.

Previous research at the same site in 2024 showed that crop response varied depending on the spacing between photovoltaic modules. This suggests further potential to optimize agrivoltaic systems for combining electricity generation with agricultural production.

At the same time, EWS noted that crop yields are influenced not only by solar panels but also by weather conditions, soil characteristics and soil compaction during construction. Further research is therefore needed to assess the long-term impact of agrivoltaics on different crops.

Tags: winter wheat, Austria, agrivoltaics