Farmland Trust Proposes Policy Framework for Agricultural Solar Integration
A leading agricultural advocacy group has outlined policy recommendations for integrating solar energy with farming operations, known as agrivoltaics. This approach allows land to maintain agricultural functionality while simultaneously generating clean electricity.
According to the organization, up to 83% of new solar development in the United States by 2040 is projected to occur on farmland and ranchland. This trend underscores the importance of utilizing rooftops, brownfields, and previously developed areas for solar installations, while also exploring opportunities for agricultural solar coexistence.
Agrivoltaics involves designing elevated solar systems that allow tractors or livestock to pass beneath them, or configuring arrays with sufficient spacing between rows to enable agricultural production alongside solar generation.
Research Benefits
Studies from a major southwestern university demonstrate that agrivoltaics offers mutual advantages, especially in sunny and arid regions. The solar arrays provide beneficial shade for crops, while the vegetation absorbs heat and moisture, enhancing panel efficiency and longevity.
Research conducted by a prominent West Coast university indicates that combining solar and agricultural production could supply 20% of the United States' total electricity generation. Widespread implementation of agrivoltaics could potentially reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 330,000 tons while having minimal impact on crop yields.
The research suggests that an area approximately the size of Maryland—about 13,000 square miles or 1% of current U.S. farmland—would be required for agrivoltaics to meet 20% of the nation's electricity needs. On a global scale, estimates suggest that converting just 1% of worldwide farmland to solar PV could satisfy global energy demands.
Policy Recommendations
The agricultural advocacy organization has proposed policy guidelines to support expanded agrivoltaic development, which currently represents less than 5% of installed solar capacity in the United States.
Their recommendations begin with establishing a clear definition of qualifying agrivoltaic projects and suggesting appropriate incentive structures. The organization recommends that agrivoltaic systems:
- Ensure agricultural activities can continue within solar arrays throughout their operational lifespan (30 to 40+ years) and beyond, with value recognized for both farming and energy production components. - Safeguard and conserve soil and water resources. - Develop projects that contribute positively to the broader agricultural economy. - Provide farmers with flexibility to adapt production systems or agricultural products in response to market conditions.
The organization also provides detailed guidance for a formal policy definition of agrivoltaics.
For incentive structures, the group recommends support through community solar programs, utility-scale project solicitations, bid preferences, pilot programs, and feed-in tariffs. Additional suggestions include reductions or exemptions from farmland conversion fees, property tax benefits, streamlined permitting processes, and exceptions in local land use regulations.
More comprehensive recommendations for local, state, and federal agrivoltaic policies are available through the organization's complete report.
