What Can You Grow Under Solar Panels?

Solar Panels and Plants: A Surprisingly Good Match

The land beneath solar panels does not have to sit idle. Across the UK, farmers and landowners are discovering that growing crops under and around ground-mounted solar arrays — a practice known as agrivoltaics — can boost land productivity, support biodiversity, and even improve panel efficiency.

It is not just large solar farms either. If you have ground-mounted panels at home or a garden near your rooftop array, you can make that space productive. Here is what actually grows well, what to avoid, and how to make the most of it.

Why Plants Thrive Under Solar Panels

It seems counterintuitive — surely plants need full sun? Some do. But many crops actually perform better in partial shade, and solar panels create a microclimate that benefits plants in several ways:

• Reduced water evaporation: Shade from panels means soil retains moisture for longer. Studies have shown soil beneath panels can hold 15-30% more moisture than exposed ground, reducing the need for irrigation
• Wind protection: Panel rows act as windbreaks, sheltering delicate plants from strong gusts and reducing wind stress on foliage
• Temperature regulation: Shade keeps soil and air temperatures more stable. On hot summer days, temperatures under panels can be 5-10°C cooler — ideal for leafy crops that bolt in heat
• Extended growing season: The warmer winter microclimate under panels can protect against light frost, giving some crops a slightly longer growing window

There is a benefit for the panels too. Vegetation under and around solar arrays helps cool the surrounding air through transpiration. Cooler panels operate more efficiently — output drops by roughly 0.3-0.5% for every degree above 25°C, so even modest cooling from plants underneath can marginally boost generation.

Best Crops and Plants for Under Ground-Mounted Solar Panels

Herbs

Herbs are among the best performers under solar panels. Most culinary herbs evolved in woodland edges or dappled shade, so they are naturally suited to the light conditions beneath a panel array.

• Mint: Thrives in partial shade and moist soil — both of which panels provide. It spreads aggressively, so consider containers or root barriers
• Parsley: Prefers some shade in summer and tolerates the lower light levels well. Both flat-leaf and curly varieties do well
• Chives: Very hardy, happy in partial shade, and the flowers are excellent for pollinators
• Coriander: Bolts quickly in full sun and hot conditions. The cooler, shadier environment under panels keeps it leafy for longer
• Lemon balm: A shade-lover that produces abundantly under panels

Leafy Greens

This is the standout category for agrivoltaics. Leafy greens do not just tolerate shade — many genuinely prefer it.

• Lettuce: One of the best performers. Research from the University of Arizona found lettuce grown under solar panels produced the same yield as conventionally grown lettuce while using 30% less water. In UK summers, the shade prevents bitter bolting
• Spinach: Another shade-tolerant crop that bolts in heat. Under panels, you can harvest spinach well into July and August when open-field spinach has long gone to seed
• Kale: Hardy enough to grow almost anywhere, and the partial shade produces more tender leaves with less tough fibre
• Rocket: Like coriander, rocket bolts quickly in full sun. Panels keep it productive for longer
• Chard: Tolerates a wide range of light conditions and produces reliably under partial shade

Root Vegetables

Some root crops perform well under panels, though they generally need more light than leafy greens.

• Radishes: Quick-growing and tolerant of partial shade. A good crop for gaps between panel rows where they catch a few hours of direct sun
• Beetroot: Manages well in partial shade, though roots may be slightly smaller than those grown in full sun
• Potatoes: Can produce reasonable yields in the brighter spots of a panel array, particularly early varieties

Wildflowers and Pollinator Mixes

For solar farms and larger domestic installations, planting wildflower mixes under and around panels is one of the most impactful things you can do.

• Native wildflower seed mixes suited to partial shade will establish a diverse meadow beneath the panels
• Clover fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for future planting
• Foxglove, primrose, and wood anemone are native woodland-edge species that thrive in dappled shade
• Pollinator-friendly species attract bees and butterflies, supporting wider ecosystem health

The UK Solar Trade Association (now Solar Energy UK) actively encourages solar farms to adopt biodiversity management plans, and many now maintain wildflower meadows as standard practice.

What About Residential Rooftop Panels?

If your solar panels are on your roof, the growing situation is different. You are not planting under the panels themselves — they are several metres up on your roof tiles.

However, rooftop panels do cast shade on your garden, depending on your house orientation and the time of day. If part of your garden gets more shade because of your panels, use that to your advantage:

• Plant shade-tolerant crops (the herbs and leafy greens listed above) in the shadier areas
• Use the sunnier parts of your garden for sun-loving crops like tomatoes, courgettes, and runner beans
• Rainwater runoff from panels can be collected and used for garden irrigation — another practical benefit

For most UK homes, rooftop panels will not dramatically change your garden's light levels. The shadow cast by panels moves throughout the day, so no single spot is in permanent shade.

Understanding the Shade Pattern

Not all shade under solar panels is equal. The amount and pattern of shade depends on several factors:

• Panel height: Ground-mounted panels are typically installed 0.6-1.5 metres above ground. Higher panels let more diffused light underneath
• Panel tilt: In the UK, panels are usually tilted at 25-35 degrees. Steeper tilts create a deeper shaded zone on the north side and a sunnier strip on the south side
• Row spacing: Solar farms space rows to minimise self-shading — typically 3-5 metres apart. These sunlit corridors between rows receive significant direct light
• Time of day and season: The shadow from panels moves and changes length throughout the day. In midsummer, high sun angles mean shorter shadows. In winter, lower sun angles cast longer shadows but for fewer hours

In practice, most areas under a UK solar array receive 30-60% of full sunlight — plenty for shade-tolerant crops. The strips between rows often get 70-80% of full sun, opening up options for less shade-tolerant plants.

Benefits of Planting Under and Around Solar Panels

Soil Health

Bare ground under solar panels can erode, compact, and lose organic matter over time. Planting stabilises the soil, builds organic content through root systems and leaf litter, and supports healthy soil biology including earthworms and beneficial fungi.

Reduced Maintenance

For ground-mounted systems and solar farms, establishing low-growing ground cover or wildflower meadows reduces the need for regular mowing. Many solar farms previously spent thousands per year on grass management. Wildflower meadows need just one or two cuts per year, typically after seeding in late summer.

Biodiversity

Research by Lancaster University found that solar farms with managed wildflower planting supported significantly more pollinators than the agricultural land they replaced. Ground-nesting bees, butterflies, and hoverflies all benefit from the sheltered, flower-rich habitat.

Panel Efficiency

As mentioned, vegetation beneath panels helps cool them through transpiration. Studies suggest this cooling effect can improve energy yield by 1-3% — a small but meaningful gain over a 25-year system lifespan.

Commercial Solar Farms and Agrivoltaics in the UK

Agrivoltaics is growing rapidly in the UK as developers and farmers look for ways to combine food production with clean energy generation.

• Solar grazing is now common on UK solar farms, with sheep grazing beneath panels to manage vegetation. It works well — sheep keep grass short without damaging equipment, and the panels provide shelter for the animals
• Bee-friendly solar farms are increasingly popular. Companies like Lightsource BP have committed to biodiversity plans on all their UK sites, planting native wildflower mixes and installing bee hotels
• Crop trials are underway at several UK locations. The Jack's Solar Farm model (originally from the US) has inspired UK trials growing soft fruit, salad crops, and herbs beneath elevated panel arrays
• Government interest is growing. Defra and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have both explored how agrivoltaics can contribute to food security and net zero goals simultaneously

UK Agrivoltaic Projects to Watch

The UK is behind countries like Germany, France, and Japan in agrivoltaic adoption, but the sector is catching up:

• The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has published guidance supporting dual-use solar, recognising that well-designed agrivoltaic systems can maintain productive agricultural land while generating clean energy
• Solar Energy UK (the industry trade body) promotes its Natural Capital Best Practice Guidance, encouraging solar developers to enhance biodiversity rather than simply maintaining it
• University research: Institutions including Sheffield, Lancaster, and Reading have active research programmes studying crop performance, pollinator activity, and soil health on UK solar farms
• Community energy projects in Oxfordshire, Somerset, and East Anglia have trialled small-scale agrivoltaics, combining community-owned solar with local food growing

What Not to Grow Under Solar Panels

Some plants are a poor fit for the conditions under a solar array:

• Tall crops: Sweetcorn, sunflowers, and runner beans on tall frames can shade the panels, reducing energy output. Keep crops below the bottom edge of the panel
• Sun-loving fruiting crops: Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and courgettes need full sun to fruit well. They will grow under panels but produce far less
• Trees and large shrubs: These will shade panels and interfere with maintenance access. Keep woody plants well clear of the array
• Invasive species: Bamboo, Japanese knotweed, and other vigorous growers can damage panel mounting systems and are difficult to manage once established

Getting Started: Practical Tips

• Check access: Make sure planting does not block access to your panels for cleaning, inspection, or maintenance. Leave clear pathways
• Start small: Try a few shade-tolerant herbs or a row of lettuce before committing to a larger planting scheme
• Use raised beds or containers: These keep roots away from panel foundations and cable runs, and make crop management easier
• Consider irrigation: While panels reduce evaporation, you may still need to water in dry spells. Drip irrigation works well under panels
• Monitor light levels: Spend a few days observing the shade pattern before deciding what to plant where. The sunniest spots between rows suit different crops than the deeper shade directly under the panels

Frequently Asked Questions