The growth of the solar in the United States has caused challenges with land availability and usage. However, a new technique known as agrivoltaics allows for dual land use that can benefit both solar energy production and agriculture.
What Is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics, also known as agrophotovoltaics, involves incorporating solar photovoltaic panels into agricultural areas to allow crops to be grown underneath or amongst the solar panels. This dual land use approach provides multiple benefits over traditional ground-mounted solar farms that occupy agricultural land. With agrivoltaics, farmers can continue crop cultivation on the same plots of land that host solar panels above.
Benefits Of Shade For Crops
Many crops have been found to grow better under the partial shade provided by solar panels compared to being in full sun. The shade reduces soil evaporation and moderates temperature fluctuations, providing a more favorable microclimate for certain crops. Research has shown yield gains for crops like grapes, lettuce, strawberries and more when grown under solar panels versus out in the open. United States Agrivoltaics The panels provide around 60% shade on average, permitting just the right amount of light for optimal plant growth.
Less Water Usage And Drought Resistance
The shade from solar panels also means less water is required for irrigation. Studies show water usage reductions of 30-70% for crops under solar panels versus those in direct sunlight. This makes agrivoltaic systems attractive for arid regions facing drought issues. Less evaporation from the soil surface leads to better water retention in the ground. During heat waves and periods of low rainfall, agrivoltaic crops can be less impacted versus those fully exposed.
Pollinator Habitat And Biodiversity
Well-designed agrivoltaic installations allow native grasses and wildflowers to be planted between the rows of solar panels. This enhances biodiversity and creates habitats for bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. The dual land use respects nature while generating renewable energy. It avoids the pesticide runoff and monoculture farming issues tied to some conventional agriculture. More biodiverse landscapes with agrivoltaics confer resilience against pests and climate change impacts.
Additional Revenue Streams For Farmers
Farmers adopting agrivoltaics gain a new revenue stream from leasing their land to solar developers, providing more stable long-term income compared to commodities s alone. Power purchase agreements with utilities allow farmers to sell the clean solar power generated on their property. A recent study found agrivoltaic systems to be economically favorable for Midwestern US row crop farmers versus traditional ground-mount projects or agriculture alone due to the benefits of dual use.
Reduced Land Needs For Clean Power
With domestic solar deployment accelerating to meet climate goals, agrivoltaics allows more renewable energy to be generated on the same tracts of available land. Traditional solar farms require wholly converting agricultural plots for energy production. United States Agrivoltaics produces both food and power simultaneously, avoiding loss of farmland. Independent studies show the US could produce a significant portion of its electricity from agrivoltaics on only 2-4% of available cropland through dual use. This has major implications for land sparing.
Research And Development Accelerating
Acknowledging these benefits, increasing research dollars are flowing into agrivoltaic system design, crop selection, and optimization of paired generation. The US Department of Energy Sunshot Initiative and Department of Agriculture are funding numerous university and partnerships on agrivoltaics testing and scale-up. Advanced bifacial panels which soak up light from both sides and tracking systems tailored for agricultural integration are entering pilot phases. Researchers are gathering long-term yield data across various climates, soils and mixed-use scenarios.
Early Adoption Examples
Some of the earliest commercial-scale agrivoltaic projects in the US include dual-use installations in Petaluma, California and Rembrandt, Iowa. In Petaluma, First Solar teamed with farm owner Marin Sun Farms on a 5-megawatt agrivoltaic array shading tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and more. Crop yields have been maintained or increased versus open-field plots. In Iowa, developer Longroad Energy worked with farmer Ray Buol to deploy trackers growing soybeans beneath solar panels, finding positive results for the revenue-diversified operation. These pioneering projects demonstrate application beyond pilots.
Regulatory Accommodations Needed
While agrivoltaics shows immense potential, regulatory policies have not fully caught up. Outdated rules focused on single land use often do not account for the system complexities of dual use infrastructure. To advance agrivoltaics rapidly, state public utility commissions and departments of agriculture need updated interconnection standards, guidelines and incentive programs that recognize agrivoltaics different design, engineering and long-term economic considerations. Communities must thoughtfully site such projects in consultation with farmers. With the right and regulatory frameworks, agrivoltaics could make efficient use of prime US farmland for decades to come.
As solar and renewable energy development expands across rural America, United States Agrivoltaics presents a sustainable path forward that supports both agricultural production and clean power goals. By innovating integrated land use practices, farmers and communities gain new resilience against issues like variable commodity prices, water shortages and lost productivity due to increasing extreme weather events tied to climate change. With ongoing research and pilot project data collection, agrivoltaics shows great promise to maximize benefits from every acre while tackling energy and environmental challenges.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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