Combining solar photovoltaic energy and agriculture production

Agrivoltaics is a new and emerging combination of technologies that enhance climate resilience and allow sustainable food and energy production. From crop production to livestock grazing and pollinator habitat, agrivoltaics can support a wide range of agriculture practices.

This rapidly growing sector of the solar energy industry is undergoing considerable research, development, and demonstration in the United States and across the globe.

For the latest information and guidance, read the Growing Agrivoltaics in New York State report [PDF].

NYSERDA and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) have compiled resources and information on agrivoltaics best practices and applications for different agriculture practices can be designed to address the following topics:

Maximizing agricultural production within solar energy facilities

• Agrivoltaics in New York State: Framing the Opportunity
• Solar and Multiuse Farming Practices
• What is Solar Grazing and How Does it Work
• Solar Grazing Checklist for Shepherds and Solar Site Managers
• Fact Sheet: The Economics of Solar Grazing
• Solar-Suitable Grazing Animals
• Leasing and Grazing Contract Information
• Design and Racking Systems for Grazing and Shade
• Solar/Crops
• Orchardvoltaics
• Low Impact Solar Development Strategies Guidebook

High-value shade-resistant crops

• Dual-Use: Crop and Livestock Considerations, Fact Sheet
• Solar panels cast shade on agriculture in a good way
• Contrasting yield responses at varying levels of shade suggest different suitability of crops for dual land-use systems: a meta-analysis

Community marketing opportunities

• New York State Grown and Certified
• Taste NY

Improving farm operations

• Capitalize on financial opportunities to make installing or participating in a solar project affordable—regardless of your business’s budget or size
• Solar Irrigation

Potential for extended crop growing seasons

• Agrivoltaics in drylands: Co-location has food, water, and renewable energy benefits

Pollinator-friendly standards

• Solar Pollinator Habitat
• Low Impact Solar Development Strategies Guidebook
• NYS Utility Corridor Pollinator Habitat Guidelines
• Pollinator Habitat Installation Planning Form; Pollinator Habitat Management Log
• Planting for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects New York Wildflower Habitat Establishment Guide
• Solar Site Pollinator Habitat Assessment Form for Project Planning
• Solar and Multiuse Farming Practices

The opinions expressed in these resources do not necessarily reflect those of NYSERDA or NYSAGM, and reference to any specific product, service, process, or method does not constitute an implied or expressed recommendation or endorsement of it. Further, NYSERDA and NYSAGM make no warranties or representations, expressed or implied, as to the fitness for particular purpose or merchantability of any product, apparatus, or service, or the usefulness, completeness, or accuracy of any processes, methods, or other information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to in these resources.

New York State’s Agricultural Technical Working Group’s (A-TWG) Agrivoltaics Specialist Committee

In November 2022, the A-TWG formed a specialist committee to advance stakeholder knowledge of agrivoltaics and to guide their deployment in a way that is beneficial to farmers and their communities and to encourage responsible development of solar energy, while maintaining and demonstrating viable commercial agriculture operations. The Agrivoltaics Specialist Committee is charged to:

• Develop a stronger understanding of the current state and potential for agrivoltaics in NYS to promote land use efficiencies, supplement agricultural revenue streams, and minimize land use competition.
• Identify information and knowledge needed to better understand the viability of agrivoltaics across a range of conditions in New York State.
• Provide guidance on developing or amending policies and programs in order to advance agrivoltaics.

The AGV Specialist Committee’s working definition for agrivoltaics is: the simultaneous use of land for solar photovoltaic power generation and agricultural production of “crops, livestock and livestock products,” as that phrase is defined by New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) § 301(2).

Meeting materials and additional resources can be found at the A-TWG’s webpage .

New York State Sponsored Agrivoltaics Research

• New York Power Authority and EPRI Complete Study Funded by APPA on Sustainable Land Practices Integrating Agriculture and Solar Energy Systems
• NYSERDA’s Environmental Research Program under PON 4270 has competitively funded six research projects that are currently underway and producing data on crop and grazing potential, soil health indicators, use of solar sites as habitat by birds and pollinator species, and optimal agrivoltaic siting design considerations for large, solar PV projects. Incremental research updates can be found in applicable Environmental Research Newsletters.
• NYSERDA commissioned Growing Agrivoltaics in New York State to explore how agriculture and renewable energy can work hand-in-hand to support decarbonization. All while supporting agricultural viability and food system resilience, and identifying potential opportunities and constraints associated with increasing uptake of agrivoltaics projects in the State. The report was informed by engagement with the New York State Agricultural Technical Working Group (A-TWG) and its Agrivoltaics Specialist Committee. It explores the State’s agricultural context, emerging agrivoltaics pilots and programs, and provides cursory review of agrivoltaics feasibility from a solar design perspective. The report helps to advance understanding of agrivoltaics relevant to New York’s agricultural landscape to support future discussions on policy and incentives. It includes key recommendations from A-TWG for continued research and engagement.
• NYSERDA has developed Considerations for “Grazing-Ready” Solar Facilities: Planning for Integration of Sheep [PDF] to support integration of “graze-ready” site elements at the facility planning and design stage to help promote grazing at any point in the lifespan of a solar facility. The guide is intended to help solar developers substantiate co-location of animal agriculture with solar and encourage discussions among the farming and solar development communities to expand farmer involvement in agrivoltaics. The guide does not cover development of a grazing management plan between solar developers and farmers. Example plans in New York State include the Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center Agricultural Integration Plan: Managed Sheep Grazing & Beekeeping and the Horseshoe Solar Agricultural Integration Plan . It will also be important for collaborators to clearly delineate where responsibilities lie for maintenance activities (e.g., maintenance of an installed well, vegetation management outside of grazing periods, etc.).