Agrivoltaics

Farm Power. An effort to collect knowledge and communicate a vision for scaling agrivoltaics, as a way to help farm communities that are struggling during droughts (and volatility in the agriculture industry) (Dr. Glenn Hallam, Board Chair)

Planning & Implementation Resources

These resources provide the frameworks and tools needed to design and monitor an agrivoltaic system. 

  • AgriSolar Clearinghouse: A central communication hub for relationship-building and information-sharing among farmers, researchers, and solar developers.

  • Agrivoltaics Toolkit: Developed by the Center for Rural Affairs, this provides fact sheets on siting, zoning, and best practices for integrating cattle, beekeeping, and solar grazing.

  • Agrivoltaics Monitoring & Research Design Guide: A guide for reliably tracking agricultural and ecological outcomes, including soil health and crop performance in solar microclimates.

  • InSPIRE Financial Calculator: A free tool from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for techno-economic analysis to help in early decision-making. 

Research Hubs & Data Portals 

For those conducting technical research or looking for local site data, these platforms offer comprehensive datasets. 

  • InSPIRE Data Portal: The most comprehensive repository of agrivoltaic research, featuring filterable datasets and success stories.

  • U.S. Agrivoltaics Map: A dynamic, interactive map representing a census of active agrivoltaic installations across the United States.

  • USDA Climate Hubs: Offers regional insights into pairing solar with local farming practices, such as blueberry farming in the Northeast or sheep grazing in the Northwest. 

Grants & Financial Incentives

Federal programs provide significant funding for both implementation and research. 

  • Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Offers grants (up to 50% of project costs) and loan guarantees to help agricultural producers install renewable energy systems.

  • LASSO Prize: An $8 million prize program specifically for projects that combine solar energy with cattle grazing.

  • Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants: Provides regional grants for research and education projects aimed at adopting sustainable practices like agrivoltaics. 

Educational Literature

For an in-depth understanding of the technical and commercial aspects, consider these reference books: