New York, National, and International Agrivoltaics News Coverage
By Annika Spaet, ACE NY Intern
The following round-up aims to capture developments in agrivoltaics (the co-location of solar panels and agriculture) in New York, the U.S., and the world. While there are still barriers and challenges for agrivoltaics in NYS, these news pieces offer insight into both the current landscape and emerging opportunities.
Title: Solar Solutions: Agrivoltaics offer array of options for farmland use
Date Published: Feb. 5, 2025
This Cornell Chronicle article investigates the evolving field of agrivoltaics in NYS in light of increased university research activity on the topic. Approximately 84% of land identified as suitable for future solar development in NYS is agricultural. Some fear that solar development on farmland will be the death of farming; others hypothesize that the additional income from these developments will allow people who want to stay in farming to do so. Among the farmers who have leased their land, about half expect to continue producing agricultural products alongside solar panels. With $1 million in initial support from NYS, Cornell CALS established the Agrivoltaics Research Program to bring together researchers from diverse fields, including engineering, agronomics, economics, policy, and social science. Additionally, solar industry research has found that adjustable-tilt solar panels can reduce heat stress, and on overcast days, panels could be straightened to allow more light in.
Title: American Farmland Trust makes policy recommendations for agrivoltaics
Date Published: March 5, 2025
American Farmland Trust, a national nonprofit focused on protecting farmland, highlights the powerful role of agrivoltaics in aligning climate and farm viability goals. On just 1% of farmland, agrivoltaics could provide 20% of total electricity generation in the US. A wide-scale installation of agrivoltaics could lead to an annual reduction of 330,000 tons of CO2 with minimal impacts on crop yield, which is particularly relevant given that 83% of new solar development is expected to occur on farmland by 2040. Moreover, 88% of farmers have already been approached by solar companies, with more than half of companies offering at least $1000 per acre to lease land for solar farms. For farmers who own their land, lease payments could help offset the losses in agricultural productivity. Agrivoltaics can be incentivized by employing a variety of tactics, including community solar programs, utility-scale project solicitations, and pilot programs. In addition, offering forgiveness for farmland conversion requirements and waiving mitigation fees, as well as streamlining state and local permitting, can help advance agrivoltaics nationwide.
Title: 4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment
Date Published: July 9, 2025
Land is a major limitation in the energy transition, especially for solar, as rooftop panels are insufficient in satisfying our growing energy needs. In comparison, developing solar on cleared lands is considerably cheaper. Converting a portion of fields used to grow corn (the most widespread crop in the US) to solar panel facilities makes ecological sense. As noted by over 200 scientists in Iowa, a “one-acre solar farm produces as much energy as 100 acres of corn-based ethanol,” further supporting solar development on agricultural lands. Moreover, if just 46% of land used for corn-ethanol were converted to solar energy, it would generate enough electricity for the US to decarbonize its system by 2050.
Title: Agrivoltaics Market Size, Share, Investment Outlook Strong Growth US$ 8.41Bn by 2032
Date Published: July 16, 2025
Link: https://www.openpr.com/news/4106596/agrivoltaics-market-size-share-investment-outlook-strong
In 2024, the global agrivoltaics market reached $4.32 billion, and the growing market is expected to reach $8.41 billion by 2032. Due to growing concerns about climate resilience, land scarcity, and sustainable energy solutions, the market is building momentum. Worldwide agrivoltaic initiatives are also growing, including research in Turkey exploring crop compatibility with solar installations. Similarly, a collaboration between the National Solar Energy Federation of India and the Agrivoltaics Alliance in Delhi has resulted in an initiative to optimize crop production by reducing production costs and maximizing the use of natural sunlight. Key players in the agrivoltaics market include Next2Sun Technology GmbH, SunAgri, Ombrea, Namaste Solar, Mirai Solar, SunSeed APV Private Limited, Enel Green Power Spa, JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd., BayWa AG, and Insolight SA.
Title: A 'Mammoth' Agrivoltaic Project Crosses the Political Divide in Indiana
Date Published: April 23, 2025
Link: https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2025/solar-agrivoltaics-project-indiana/820396
The Mammoth Solar project in northwest Indiana is expected to be one of the largest solar projects in the US, with its first phase generating enough energy to power around 75,000 homes. With bipartisan support from local residents and farmers in the traditionally red state of Indiana, the project exemplifies the benefits of agrivoltaics for farmers within the state and around the country. With up to 70% of farmers approving of agrivoltaic projects and developments like Mammoth Solar expected to generate $40 million in revenue for local municipalities, there is considerable support for agrivoltaics and recognition of its benefits. Additionally, more research is now focused on the economics of agrivoltaics, such as a German research team that has created a solar-plus-farming calculator, which helps farmers measure land optimization to balance revenue between generating electricity and growing crops.
Title: New paper highlights benefits of coupling agrivoltaics with retiring groundwater rights in Nevada
Date Published: May 1, 2025
Link: https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/nevada-agrivoltaics-feasibility-study/
A new paper authored by Lena Rueck of The Nature Conservancy explains that retiring groundwater rights and implementing agrivoltaics may be feasible in the state of Nevada. As a part of groundwater rights retirement, portions of formerly irrigated agricultural lands can be transitioned to photovoltaic solar farms. This strategy tackles two of the biggest issues in the West right now: renewable energy buildout and water scarcity. Farmers stand to benefit from income diversification through agrivoltaics in Nevada. Further research will focus on transmission capacity for these projects.
Title: A Brief But Spectacular take on agrivoltaics
Date Published: July 15, 2025
Link: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-brief-but-spectacular-take-on-agrivoltaics
At Jack’s Solar Garden in Colorado, Byron Kominek has transformed his hay fields with agrivoltaic technology, illustrating a key way to blend farming and clean energy. Kominek sees agrivoltaics as a way to help agricultural industries adapt to hotter temperatures, which are becoming unsuitable for many crops. Agrivoltaic technology allows Jack’s Solar Garden to harness the land for passive income and dual land use. For many landowners and especially farmers and ranchers, multiple streams of income maintain the purpose of land ownership. Additionally, recognizing Kominek's unique strategy, thousands of people visit Kominek’s land each year, fostering a sense of community engagement and awareness.
America’s Farming-First Solar Forum (Solar Farm Summit)
Date: August 4-7, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
Link: https://solarfarmsummit.com/
Hosted later this summer, the Solar Farm Summit will focus on major topics relevant for agrivoltaics, including solar energy, agriculture, and land stewardship. The Summit will involve over 100 experts, open town hall forums, and poster galleries for a diverse audience, including members of the private and public sector, tribal governments, academics, farmers, students, and youth audiences. Register for the event here: https://solarfarmsummit.com/register.
