By Andi Anderson
Agrivoltaics is gaining attention as an innovative way to combine agricultural production with renewable energy development. The practice involves growing crops or grazing livestock within utility-scale or community solar projects, allowing farmland to remain productive while generating electricity.
Despite its benefits, many farmers are still unfamiliar with the concept. In many cases, landowners involved in solar projects do not realize that farming activities can continue alongside solar energy production. Agrivoltaics offers a practical solution that supports both agriculture and clean energy goals.
Successful agrivoltaic systems require careful planning and cooperation between farmers and solar developers from the earliest stages of a project. Agricultural activities cannot simply be added after solar infrastructure is installed. Both parties must discuss and agree on important factors before construction begins.
For crop producers, planning considerations may include reducing soil compaction, protecting topsoil, determining spacing between solar arrays, establishing appropriate array heights, providing adequate field access, and designing suitable cropping systems. These measures help ensure that crop production can continue efficiently within the solar site.
Livestock producers also have specific requirements. Grazing operations may need fencing, access to water sources, forage management plans, feeding areas, livestock handling spaces, and suitable solar panel heights. Proper planning helps create a safe and productive environment for animals while maintaining solar operations.
Agrivoltaics presents a valuable economic opportunity for farmers. Solar developers typically invest in vegetation management services to maintain grasses and plants within solar projects. Farmers already possess the skills and experience needed to manage vegetation through crop production and livestock grazing.
By working with solar project operators, farmers can provide these services while creating an additional source of farm income. At the same time, agricultural land remains actively used for food and fiber production rather than being removed from farming entirely.
Crops can often be grown in spaces between solar arrays and within setback areas, while livestock can graze across much of a solar facility. This arrangement allows solar developers to maintain sites effectively while supporting agricultural activity.
Agrivoltaics also benefits communities by preserving working farmland and promoting sustainable land use. The combination of electricity generation and agricultural production can help maximize the value of rural land resources.
As renewable energy projects continue to expand, agrivoltaics offers farmers a unique opportunity to diversify income, maintain agricultural production, and participate in a system that benefits farmers, solar developers, and the public alike. It demonstrates how agriculture and renewable energy can work together to create a productive and sustainable future.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jevtic
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture