- This is a small research project that will be the start, but we are already looking for farmers who are interested in installing larger facilities to try it on a larger scale, says Bengt Stridh researcher at Mälardalen University.

NASA is involved

This is the first time in Sweden that such a so-called agrivoltaic solar cell system has been installed and evaluated, both in terms of solar production and cultivation.

MDH collaborates with NASA in the USA, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Solkompaniet, which set up the solar cell system itself.

- We exchange data with NASA and their knowledge from their satellites, they are also involved in writing the articles we publish.

The data is about measurements of solar radiation in certain intervals that you can get from their satellites, says Bengt Stridh.

Good results in other countries

The researchers hope that the shadow that arises from the panels will retain soil moisture better and thus benefit cultivation.

Similar research from other countries shows these results and now the effects on Swedish conditions will be investigated.

- This is something that comes very strongly around the world, and we need good land to produce food on to increase biodiversity and if you can combine it with renewable energy technology, I think it's great, says Maja Wennerberg Fåhraeus civil engineer energy system at Solkompaniet.

Hear more about the project in the clip above