Solar energy development and agricultural land preservation are not always seen as compatible objectives. However, a groundbreaking pilot project, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in collaboration with project partners Connexus Energy and U.S. Solar, is seeking to bridge this gap. The Solar Farmland Access for Emerging Farmers demonstration projects aim to explore how solar energy development can be expanded while ensuring farmland remains accessible to the farmers who play a vital role in feeding the nation.

Researching Safe and Scalable Practices:

Funded by the Mortenson Family Foundation, with support from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and Argonne National Lab, the agrivoltaics projects undertaken in conjunction with the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and Big River Farms serve as experimental grounds to study safe and scalable operational practices. Electric cooperatives and solar site owners are exploring innovative approaches to provide emerging farmers with farmland access within the spaces surrounding solar facilities. By maximizing the land use potential while addressing the challenges faced by aspiring farmers, this pilot project aims to create a win-win scenario for the clean energy and agriculture sectors.

Supporting Emerging Farmers:

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture established the nation’s first Emerging Farmers Office in 2022, recognizing that access to farmland is a significant barrier for individuals new to farming. This innovative initiative seeks to remove the obstacles faced by emerging farmers, such as new Americans and first-generation farmers who lack access to land or capital. By enabling farmland access within solar facilities, this pilot project aligns with the mission of the Emerging Farmers Office and contributes to its goal of fostering diversity in agriculture while ensuring food security for the region.

Harnessing Community Benefits:

Brian Ross, Vice President of Renewable Energy for the Great Plains Institute, emphasizes the multitude of community benefits that can be derived from multi-acre solar projects with thoughtful planning and procurement. By incorporating solutions for local food production and access into the clean energy transition, the agrivoltaics projects have the potential to offer sustainable electricity generation alongside enhanced food security. This holistic approach to renewable energy development proves that the integration of clean energy infrastructure and agricultural practices is not only desirable but also achievable.

Prominent Project Partners:

Two key project partners involved in this initiative deserve recognition for their commitment to sustainable practices. Connexus Energy, the Midwest’s largest electric cooperative, is renowned for its service reliability, grid innovation, and solar land-use practices. The cooperative ensures that its solar arrays meet Minnesota’s standard for pollinator-friendly ground cover and operates a commercial apiary within its headquarters’ solar array, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits. Similarly, U.S. Solar has gone above and beyond by creating vast privately financed pollinator habitats, promoting biodiversity alongside solar energy development.

Advancing Research and Best Practices:

The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), through its InSPIRE study network, plays a crucial role in shaping the pilot project’s outcomes. NREL’s expertise and contribution enable the discovery and documentation of safe and scalable practices that enable emerging farmers’ farmland access within solar sites. These insights are invaluable to utilities and solar site operators as they make decisions that align with their organizations’ best interests. The InSPIRE study also contributes to the solar industry’s understanding of solar farm design and management practices that offer dual benefits for agriculture and ecosystems.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this research report is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. The energy market is highly volatile, and readers should conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.