Farmer photovoltaic energy storage project

Can mid-sized solar projects integrate agrivoltaics profitably?

Results from this research will enable mid-sized solar projects to integrate agrivoltaics profitably and provide economic opportunity to both farmers and solar developers, particularly underserved and Native Alaskan populations.

What makes a good agrivoltaic project?

Compatibility and Flexibility — Agrivoltaics should be designed to accommodate the competing needs of solar owners, solar operators, and farmers or landowners to allow for efficient agricultural activities. Collaboration and Partnerships — For any project to succeed, communication and understanding between groups is crucial.

Could agrivoltaic farming be a solution?

Agrivoltaic farming could be a solution to not just one but both of these problems. It uses the shaded space underneath solar panels to grow crops. This increases land-use efficiency, as it lets solar farms and agriculture share ground, rather than making them compete against one another.

How agrivoltaic farming works?

Solar panels have to sometimes be elevated or suspended to allow plants to grow beneath them. Another option is putting them on the roofs of greenhouses. This allows enough light and rainwater to reach the crops, as well as providing access for farm machinery. Where is agrivoltaic farming already in use?

Can agrivoltaic systems increase crop production?

A USDA-funded project led by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researches agrivoltaic systems in a variety of land and climate types to increase crop production, produce renewable energy, and maximize farm profitability.

How can agrivoltaic projects reduce stormwater runoff?

Agrivoltaic projects that utilize different ground covers and low-impact development practices can make solar sites more permeable to reduce stormwater runoff. The Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (PV-SMaRT) project addresses the stormwater runoff challenges of jurisdictions as they consider permitting for solar arrays.