The following is a letter to the editor submitted by Emily Nicholson. If you’d like to submit a letter for consideration send it to [email protected].
Imagine a future where New York’s farmlands provide food for our tables and clean energy for our homes. As climate challenges grow, these fields have the potential to lead an agricultural revolution where crops and solar panels coexist, harnessing the sun to both nourish and power communities. Where sheep graze peacefully beneath solar panels, maintaining the land while enriching the soil, and rows of lettuce flourish in the shade of solar arrays, protected from the harshest sun. This innovative technology, agrivoltaics, is vital for a sustainable future where renewable energy and agriculture work together.
The future is solar. The U.S. has a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This means less reliance on fossil fuels and more reliance on renewables. One renewable energy source that has seen tremendous growth is solar energy. Now, nearly 210 gigawatts of solar capacity exist nationwide, enough to power 36 million homes. Solar deployments have experienced an average annual growth rate of 25% over the last decade, reflecting substantial investment and technological advancements. This growth impacts employment trends, where the solar industry has become a significant job creator, with around 280,000 Americans working in solar. Agrivoltaics utilizes land for solar energy production and farming activities, such as growing crops or grazing livestock.
New York State is a prime location for agrivoltaics. Over three-quarters of the solar market is already concentrated in four states, including New York. Wind, hydro, geothermal, and ocean energy are other renewables, yet solar is the only renewable technology on track with the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that to meet solar energy production goals by 2050, 10 million acres will be needed. American Farmland Trust estimates that 80% of that could be built on agricultural lands, totaling the size of Maryland. Many argue that solar energy is not viable because it takes up valuable farmland, particularly in New York State, where agriculture is an integral part of the economy. Since agrivoltaics combines agriculture with solar, it could open up new revenue streams for farmers, enhancing the economic and environmental benefits of farming.
Some crops are perfect for growing alongside solar panels. Different configurations allow crops to be placed between, under, or on the perimeter of surrounding solar panels. Taller vegetation is often grown between the rows of panels, while shorter, shade-tolerant plants like lettuce can be grown around and under. In arid climates, panels cast partial shade that helps crops achieve higher yields while reducing watering needs. In wetter environments, strategic panel spacing actively manages on-site water distribution. These configurations not only boost crop productivity but also optimize resource use.
Solar panels don’t just generate energy; they also create a beneficial microclimate for crops. By keeping the crops cooler during the day and warmer at night, the panels reduce heat stress and the risk of frost damage, which is particularly important in a changing climate. This microclimate can even extend the growing season.
On the other hand, livestock actively manage the vegetation beneath solar panels, grazing to keep grass and weeds in check. This practice reduces the maintenance costs of trimming vegetation under the panels and the need for herbicides. The co-location of livestock with solar panels also increases efficient land use. For example, sheep raised for meat are popular as they tend to be more docile, and insurance companies typically insure solar farms that use sheep for grazing. If timed correctly, sheep grazing can increase the number of native plants by reducing weed cover and bringing up latent seeds.
Agrivoltaics isn’t suitable for every crop grown in America. For example, corn—which covers 1 million acres annually in New York—would not be compatible with solar panel integration. Pairing corn with solar panel technology isn’t practical because corn farming requires extensive operations and large equipment, which would be difficult to maneuver around the panels. Some livestock are not compatible with solar panels due to their size or behavior. For instance, bison are too large and heavy, while goats can be problematic because they tend to chew on electrical wires.
However, these incompatibilities do not diminish the value of agrivoltaics. While not every type of livestock or crop is compatible, agrivoltaics work exceptionally well with smaller animals like sheep. Additionally, many crops, such as leafy greens, thrive in partial shade, benefiting from reduced heat stress and improved soil moisture. This adaptability reassures us that, even with limitations, agrivoltaics can significantly contribute to energy production and bolster crop resilience.
To ensure the feasibility of agrivoltaics, urgent policy support is needed to establish pilot programs that could help fund and educate farmers on agrivoltaics projects. Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE) wrote a sample letter that would support a pilot program for the viability of agrivoltaics. You can use the letter as a guide to write your own to your New York State Senator to convince them to support the proposed Senate bill. ACE also has resources on agrivoltaics that can further inform us about the future of clean energy and agriculture. These tools are essential for building a compelling case for policy change that ensures agrivoltaics become the foundation of New York’s renewable energy and agricultural strategy.
Emily Nicholson
Canandaigua, NY
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