Agrivoltaics – the practice of combining solar panels with agriculture – is revolutionizing how we think about land use, offering a solution that generates clean energy while maintaining or even improving agricultural productivity.
This innovative approach addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: the need for renewable energy and the pressure on agricultural land. Early results show agrivoltaic systems can increase overall land productivity by 35-75% while providing farmers with additional revenue streams and crop protection benefits.
What Is Agrivoltaics?
Defining Dual-Use Solar Systems
100% dedicated to solar energy production
No agricultural activity beneath panels
Single-purpose land use
Optimal solar positioning but land intensive
Dual-purpose: solar energy + agriculture
Crops, livestock, or other farming beneath/between panels
Multiple revenue streams from same land
Optimized for both solar and agricultural production
Land Equivalent Ratio (LER): 1.35-1.75 typical
35-75% more productive than single-use land
Same land produces 85% of typical crops + 75% of open-field solar
System Design Approaches
8-15 feet above groundWide row spacing for farming equipment access30-60% ground coverage ratio
Best for: Row crops, orchard integration, large-scale farming
Pros
✅ Full farming equipment access
✅ Minimal farming disruption
✅ Good solar production
✅ Easier maintenance
Cons
❌ Higher installation costs
❌ More complex structural requirements
6-10 feet above groundVery wide spacing between panel rows20-40% ground coverage ratio
Best for: Grazing livestock, specialty crops, research
Pros
✅ Lower installation costs
✅ Standard mounting systems
✅ Good grazing access
Cons
❌ Limited farming equipment access
❌ Lower solar density
6-8 feet above ground
East-west oriented vertical panels
10-20% ground coverage ratio
Best for: Grazing, minimal farming disruption
Pros
✅ Minimal ground coverage
✅ Morning and evening peak production
✅ Reduced bird impacts
✅ Easy farming access
Cons
❌ Lower overall solar production
❌ Newer technology with limited track record
8-12 feet above ground
Single-axis tracking following sun
40-70% effective coverage (varies by time)
Best for: Research applications, specialized crops
Pros
✅ Maximum solar production
✅ Dynamic shading for crop protection
✅ Flexible light management
Cons
❌ Highest costs and complexity
❌ More maintenance requirements
Agricultural Benefits
Crop Performance Under Solar Panels
2-5°F cooler during hot summer daysHigher relative humidity beneath panels50-70% reduction in wind speed
Less plant stress, reduced irrigation needs
30-50% reduction in soil water evaporation
Improved irrigation efficiency
Panel runoff can be collected and managed
20-40% reduction in irrigation requirements
Protection from heat stress and sunscaldPhysical protection from hail damageSlight frost protection from radiative coolingReduced crop damage from strong winds
Crop-Specific Results
Lettuce and Leafy Greens
+8% to +15% increase in yield
Improved leaf quality, reduced bolting
35% reduction in irrigation needsPremium pricing for consistent quality
Benefit from partial shade in hot climates
Tomatoes
+5% to +12% yield increase
Reduced sunscald, better fruit quality
25% reduction in water requirements
Extended growing season possible
Protection from excessive heat and UV
Pasture Grasses
+90% increase in dry forage production
Higher protein content in grass
Reduced irrigation in arid regions
Improved livestock comfort and productivity
Cooler temperatures and better water retention
Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries)
+10% to +20% yield increase
Larger fruit size, better shelf life
Reduced bird damage and UV stress
Extended harvest period
Optimal light levels and temperature control
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), agrivoltaic systems have shown positive agricultural outcomes in over 75% of studied crop types.
Solar Energy Benefits
Energy Production in Agrivoltaic Systems
Peak panel efficiency in open field
100% baseline solar production
Higher operating temperatures reduce efficiency
Standard cleaning and maintenance
Slightly reduced due to spacing and height
75-90% of traditional ground-mount
Cooler operation due to crop evapotranspiration
Potential for natural cleaning from irrigation
Crop evapotranspiration cools panels
2-3% efficiency improvement from lower temperatures
Partially offsets production loss from spacing
Economic Analysis of Solar Component
180-200 GWh typical
$40-$80 depending on market and contracts
$7.2-$16 million from energy sales
22-27% in good solar resource areas
$1.20-$1.80 per watt (higher than traditional)
Specialized racking, agricultural integration
$25-$35 per kW-year including agricultural coordination
8-12 years with agricultural revenue
Economic Benefits for Farmers
Revenue Diversification
100% agricultural income from land
Subject to weather, market fluctuations
Single income source vulnerability
70-90% of traditional crop revenue
$300-$1,000 per acre annual solar lease
Potential percentage of solar revenue
50-150% increase in land revenue
20-25 year guaranteed solar payments
Solar income continues during crop failures
Protection from agricultural market volatility
Case Study Examples
Jack's Solar Garden, Boulder County
1.2 MW solar, 24 acres
Sheep grazing, vegetable crops
Lamb production increased 35%
Vegetable yields up 15%
$1,000/acre annual solar payments
Educational center and research facility
Multiple sites throughout state
Various, totaling 200+ MW
Native pollinator plants, honey production
40% increase in local bee populations
Premium honey pricing
Biodiversity improvement
State requires pollinator-friendly solar
Multiple utility-scale installations
Over 500 MW with grazing programs
Cattle and sheep grazing
Reduced vegetation management costs
Additional farmer income
Improved soil health
Largest grazing program in US
Environmental and Ecological Benefits
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Native plant communities beneath panels
Support for bees, butterflies, other pollinators
Regional pollinator population increases
Benefits to surrounding agricultural areas
Reduced soil erosion from wind and water
Increased organic matter from diverse plantings
Enhanced soil microbial activity
Potential for carbon sequestration
Reduced agricultural runoff and nutrient leaching
Improved water infiltration and retention
Lower pesticide and fertilizer impacts
Positive watershed-level effects
Climate Change Adaptation
Temperature Extremes
Water Stress
Extreme Weather
Technical Considerations and Challenges
Design and Engineering Challenges
Higher mounting heights increase wind loads
Robust foundation design and engineering
10-25% increase in racking costs
Developing industry standards for agrivoltaic structures
Farming equipment needs clearance and access
Strategic panel placement and height design
Close cooperation between solar and agricultural teams
Development of agrivoltaic-specific farm equipment
Farming activities near electrical equipment
Proper grounding, GFCI protection, clear marking
Farmer education on electrical safety
Adapting electrical codes for dual-use systems
Performance Optimization
Panel Spacing and Height
Crop Selection
Operational Coordination
Policy and Regulatory Landscape
Supporting Policies
Rural Energy for America Program grants and loansUp to 25% grants plus low-interest loans
Rural businesses and agricultural producers
Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
Massachusetts
Agricultural Preservation Restriction program
California
SGIP incentives for agricultural solar-plus-storage
Colorado
Agrivoltaic research and demonstration funding
Minnesota
Community Solar Garden agricultural adders
Department of Energy InSPIRE research programNational lab research and demonstration projects
Land grant university extension programs
Collaboration with global agrivoltaic researchers
Regulatory Considerations
Agricultural Land Preservation
Utility Interconnection
Safety and Building Codes
Global Agrivoltaic Development
International Leadership
2.8 GW of agrivoltaic installations
Berry production, vegetable crops
Advanced tracking systems and research
Strong government support and funding
2.5 GW with agricultural integration
Rice cultivation under elevated panels
Specialized equipment and techniques
High land-use efficiency priority
Over 400 MW with agricultural focus
Viticulture (wine grapes) applications
Leading research on crop-specific benefits
Premium crop production emphasis
5.7 GW potential by 2030 (current: 500 MW)
Rapid expansion with research support
Wide variety of crops and climates
Technology development and scaling
Future Outlook and Innovation
Emerging Technologies
Panels that allow specific light wavelengths through
Optimized light spectrum for photosynthesis
Research phase, showing promising results
Could improve both solar and agricultural performance
Multi-layer vertical growing systems with solar
Extreme land use efficiency
Urban agriculture, controlled environments
LED grow lights powered by integrated solar
AI-controlled adaptive panel positioning
Real-time optimization for crop and solar needs
Soil moisture, light levels, crop health monitoring
Automated irrigation and nutrient delivery
Market Projections
14 GW worldwide
1.2 GW with rapid growth
Approaching cost parity with traditional solar
70 GW projected
5.7 GW target capacity
Cost competitive with proven benefits
400+ GW potential
Standard practice for solar development
Fully integrated agricultural-energy systems
Getting Started with Agrivoltaics
For Farmers and Landowners
1
Assess Your Land
Evaluate solar potential and grid access
Analyze current and potential agricultural uses
Calculate current land revenue and expenses
Assess existing infrastructure and needs
2
Research Partners
Find developers experienced in agrivoltaics
Connect with university extension programs
Learn from other agrivoltaic projects
Consult agricultural and legal advisors
3
Pilot Projects
Consider starting with small demonstration areas
Test with crops suitable for your region
Implement comprehensive monitoring systems
Document results and lessons learned
4
Scale-Up Planning
Develop comprehensive system design
Secure appropriate financing and partnerships
Plan integrated operational procedures
Develop markets for both energy and agricultural products
For Solar Developers
Develop agricultural knowledge and partnerships
Learn specialized design requirements
Engage farming communities early and authentically
Understand and communicate agricultural benefits
Develop shared revenue models
Understand agricultural risks and mitigation
Coordinate with agricultural cycles and seasons
Design flexible agreements and systems
Source specialized agrivoltaic equipment
Develop installation expertise
Plan for dual-use maintenance needs
Implement agricultural and solar monitoring
The Future of Land Use
Agrivoltaics represents a paradigm shift in how we think about land use, moving from single-purpose to multi-functional landscapes that provide both food and energy security.
Carbon-negative agricultural systems
Restored biodiversity and ecosystem health
Climate-resilient food and energy production
Sustainable landscape-scale management
Diversified rural economies
Stable income for farmers
Reduced energy and food costs
New green jobs and industries
Food and energy security
Thriving rural communities
Educational and research opportunities
Demonstration of sustainable practices
Explore agrivoltaic opportunities on your land
Connect with researchers and developers
Consider pilot projects to test feasibility
Support agrivoltaic-friendly policies
Encourage sustainable development practices
Invest in local food and energy systems
Consider agrivoltaic project financing
Support research and development
Invest in sustainable agriculture technology
Agrivoltaics offers a path toward sustainable intensification of land use, providing solutions to climate change, food security, and energy transition challenges simultaneously. As technology advances and experience grows, agrivoltaic systems will play an increasingly important role in creating resilient, productive, and sustainable landscapes.
Information based on NREL research, international agrivoltaic studies, and agricultural extension data. Results vary by location, crops, and system design. Always consult with agricultural and solar professionals for site-specific analysis.