If The White House Won't Save US Farmers, Agrivoltaics Will

The article highlights the growing agrivoltaic movement in the US, particularly in New York State, as a promising solution to support farmers by combining solar energy production with agricultural activities on the same land. Agrivoltaics involves installing specialized solar arrays that allow farming—such as crop cultivation and livestock grazing—to continue underneath or between solar panels. This dual-use approach aims to increase farmers’ profitability by generating income both from agriculture and solar power without sacrificing farmland. Additionally, the shade provided by solar panels can improve soil health and extend growing seasons, especially on marginal lands. To advance this approach, New York has launched a $7 million program funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, targeting agrivoltaic projects across different regions of the state. The initiative supports diverse pilot projects, including rotating cattle grazing with corn crops at SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology, integrating solar with a grain processing microgrid at K&MH Martens Farms, combining hay production and vegetable crops in Orange County, and retro