What Is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics (also called "dual-use solar" or "solar farming") combines solar energy production with agricultural activities on the same land. Rather than choosing between solar and farming, you get both.
Types of Agrivoltaics
Sheep Grazing
The most common form of agrivoltaics in the Northeast:
- Sheep graze under and around solar panels
- They keep vegetation trimmed, eliminating mowing costs
- Panels provide shade, improving animal welfare
- Local farmers earn income managing solar site vegetation
- No conflict—sheep and panels work perfectly together
Solar Grazing Industry
The American Solar Grazing Association has members managing sheep on solar sites across the country. It's a growing industry creating opportunities for sheep farmers.
Pollinator Habitat
Planting native wildflowers and grasses under solar panels:
- Supports declining bee and butterfly populations
- Enables honey production (apiaries on solar sites)
- Benefits neighboring farms through improved pollination
- Increases biodiversity compared to monoculture crops
Crop Production
Some crops thrive with partial shade from solar panels:
- Leafy greens — Lettuce, spinach, kale do well with reduced sun
- Herbs — Many culinary herbs prefer partial shade
- Berries — Some berry varieties tolerate shade
- Pasture — Grass for grazing grows well under panels
Research at the University of Arizona found some crops produced double yields under solar panels due to reduced water stress and heat.
Benefits for Farmers
| Benefit | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed income | Solar leases provide stable payments regardless of crop prices or weather |
| Continued farming | Land remains in agricultural use, not developed |
| Drought resilience | Panel shade reduces water needs for plants and animals |
| Soil restoration | Rest from intensive cropping allows soil to recover |
| Future flexibility | Land can return to full agricultural use after solar project ends |
Real Examples
Jack's Solar Garden (Colorado)
A research and demonstration site growing over 30 types of vegetables under bifacial solar panels. Some crops showed improved yields compared to open-field growing.
Knowlton Farm (Massachusetts)
A sheep farm integrated with community solar. The farmer manages vegetation across multiple solar sites, creating a viable business from solar grazing.
Bee & Flower Solar (Multiple States)
A model that combines solar installations with commercial apiaries, producing honey while generating clean energy.
In the Hudson Valley
Columbia County's existing solar projects demonstrate compatibility with rural character. Agrivoltaic practices could enhance this further:
- Local sheep farmers could graze solar sites
- Pollinator habitat would support Hudson Valley apiaries
- Farmland remains farmland—just dual-use farmland
Not "Solar OR Farming"
The framing of solar vs. agriculture is false. Agrivoltaics proves land can do both:
"We don't have to choose between food and energy. Smart design lets us produce both." — Greg Barron-Gafford, University of Arizona researcher
New York Support for Agrivoltaics
New York State encourages dual-use solar:
- NYSERDA supports agrivoltaic research and demonstration
- Agricultural assessments can continue on solar land under certain conditions
- State policy recognizes solar's compatibility with farming
The Bottom Line
Agrivoltaics isn't a future concept—it's happening now. Solar and farming can work together, providing stable income for farmers while generating clean energy and maintaining agricultural character.