How Agricultural Solar Panels Could Power Michigan’s Future
Michigan farmers face significant challenges. Unpredictable weather, increased labor and material costs, a dynamic international trade environment, and pressure to consolidate make every growing season an adventure. Individual owners and co-ops are looking for ways to reduce exposure to these uncertainties, and agricultural solar panel installations may be the key.
Agrivoltaics: Solar and Agriculture
In the US and around the world, the vast majority of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems occupy land with no other uses. That leaves hundreds of thousands of acres underutilized, although there’s a growing movement to change that.
Known as agrivoltaics or co-location, the concept is simple. Combine agricultural production with solar panel installations. Today, 314 agrivoltaic projects are generating over 2.8 GW. Other land uses include grazing and pollinator habitats, with integrated crop production as well.
Why We Need Agrivoltaics
To play a meaningful role in the United States’ electrification process, experts believe solar power will need to provide at least 1 terawatt of energy capacity by 5.7 million. This introduces an immediate conflict with agriculture; both applications require flat terrain and ample sunlight. Co-location can mitigate land use issues by removing siting restrictions.
Revenue is also a key consideration. Owning or leasing agricultural solar panels offers landowners the ability to diversify revenue streams, providing reliable income to reduce the financial impact of crop disease, low yields, or natural disaster.
Read More: Don’t Let Energy Inefficiency Stifle Business Growth
Pioneering Agricultural Solar: SETO
The US Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is committed to making agrivoltaics a viable part of American agriculture. It has supported and conducted several projects to establish best practices that will help farmers, vineyards, and other agricultural organizations benefit from solar panels.
SETO’s agrivoltaics funding has declined in recent years, though it maintains several adjacent funding opportunities.
Committed to a Brighter Future
Keen Technical Solutions is dedicated to bringing world-class technologies to Michigan businesses. Our commercial energy team finds real-world solutions to pressing energy challenges facing Michigan’s manufacturers, developers, business owners, and wineries. Tap into global energy resources with a local team; get in touch to speak with a Keen energy consultant today.