Soil Protection During Agri-Photovoltaic Construction Can Reduce Compaction
A study at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research measured soil compaction caused by building an agri-photovoltaic site. Heavy machinery raised subsoil density and root penetration resistance compared with an undisturbed control plot. Applying soil protection measures during construction can largely prevent this damage.
At a research site in Müncheberg, Brandenburg, scientists examined a solar-and-crop plot after construction ended in autumn 2024. The soil was mostly sandy. Measurements showed that trafficked subsoil had bulk densities of 1.67–1.69 g/cm³, with some spots reaching 1.86–1.99 g/cm³, while an untouched comparison plot stayed at 1.14–1.34 g/cm³.
Root-penetration resistance in affected areas reached 3.7–4.1 MPa at middle depths, exceeding levels known to hinder roots in such soils. Rain before and during building—32 mm then 83 mm—plus heavy machinery on wet ground likely worsened compaction. Damage appeared around panel supports and across rows, not only beneath them.
Farmers, land managers, energy developers, and nearby communities could be affected as agri-photovoltaics expands. If construction compacts sandy soils, root growth, water movement, and yields may suffer, potentially reducing farm income and long-term land productivity. Conversely, using soil-protection measures during building may help keep land productive alongside solar generation. The study’s findings could inform planning and construction practices, though actual outcomes will depend on site conditions, oversight, and how widely such measures are adopted.