By Andi Anderson
Agrivoltaics, the practice of co-locating solar arrays with farming operations, is gaining attention as a way to promote sustainability in agriculture.
When done right, this innovative approach provides farmers with dual income streams—both from solar energy generation and from the continued cultivation of crops and livestock. This added revenue can be crucial in helping farmers retain their land for future generations.
However, not all agrivoltaics projects have succeeded. Experts say the key to advancing this technology lies in centering farmers’ needs.
During a recent Solar Farm Summit in Rosemont, Illinois, a panel discussion highlighted the importance of aligning solar projects with existing farming practices, demonstrating financial benefits, and ensuring equitable access for all farmers, especially BIPOC farmers.
Jordan Macknick from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) emphasized that successful agrivoltaics projects should go beyond just building solar arrays. He stressed the importance of using these projects to support broader goals like succession planning and farmer training.
Miles Braxton, founder of Okovate Sustainable Energy, shared that his company focuses on “farmer-centered” solar development. By targeting crop farmers whose crops are compatible with solar arrays, Braxton believes that agrivoltaics can avoid the inefficiencies of taking farmland out of production.
Farmers like Cetta Barnhart and Ena Jones are also advocating for the benefits of combining solar and agriculture. Barnhart, who runs Seed Time Harvest Farms in Florida, believes that solar energy can be seamlessly integrated into current farming practices, whether it’s raising cattle or growing crops.
Jones, a farmer and advocate, emphasized that solar projects can significantly reduce energy costs, which is a major expense for farmers.
Agrivoltaics also offers a solution for land retention, particularly for BIPOC farmers who have historically faced challenges in maintaining ownership of their land. By providing an additional income stream, agrivoltaics can make it financially feasible for farmers to keep their land and pass it on to future generations.
Ultimately, a farmer-first and collaborative approach to agrivoltaics can help bridge the gap between farmers and solar developers, ensuring that these projects are mutually beneficial. By focusing on the needs and goals of farmers, agrivoltaics has the potential to be a game-changer for sustainable farming and land retention.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: Ohio, Energy