Since 2015 the Energy Department has been researching the emerging field that seeks to implement innovations in both solar technology and farming techniques at the same time, on the same plot of land.
The goal is to meet U.S. climate goals, while reducing conflicts with farmers and providing benefits to local communities, according to Michele Boyd, a program manager in the department’s Solar Energy Technologies Office who leads the agrivoltaics portfolio.
While spurring concerns from some communities, the solar land grab has created an opportunity for farmers facing volatile fertilizer prices and growing uncertainty around the world following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The goal now is to gather data and best practices to deploy the sites to farms across the country, widening the scope of land for solar developers and providing farmers with another revenue stream,” Boyd said.
The Energy Dept. in December announced $8 million for six research projects that intend to assess issues like soil health, grazing methods, and outreach to minority farmers.
Facts and Predictions
Solar energy is a major part of the Biden administration’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions from the power sector by 2035.
Solar could provide 40% of U.S. electric generation by 2035, up from about 3% of the country’s power supply in 2021, according to the Energy Department. But just one megawatt of ground-mounted installations — which can power, on average, roughly 173 U.S. homes — requires 3 to 10 acres.
The Energy Department estimates utility-scale solar installations are expected to span between 4 million and 11 million acres of land by 2050, translating to potentially more land than Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C., combined.
More on solar:
Dept. of Interior Scopes Out New Solar Locations in the West Amid Off-Shore Wind Lease Auction
How the Russian Oil Ban Will Impact Clean Energy Debates
What to Consider When Farming the Sun
