In August, I had the opportunity to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for an Agrivoltaic Solar Array at Burgandy brook farm in Palmer, MA. It was my first time seeing an Agrivoltaic solar farm in person.

What is an Agrivoltaic Solar Array and How Does It Impact Farms?

Agrivoltaic solar arrays utilize farmland with minimal disruption to farming activities. Solar panels are mounted above the ground, allowing farmers to continue growing crops or grazing livestock underneath. During the event, we observed cows gathering under the panels to graze and seek shade from the summer sun. These panels not only provide clean energy for the grid but also offer additional benefits to the farm without requiring maintenance or upkeep by the farmers. The transmission lines are buried underground, preserving valuable farm space and maximizing the land’s potential for agriculture.

Agrivoltaic Farms as a Source of Revenue

Farming is often more of a lifestyle than a business, driven by a passion for the land and growing healthy food. While the societal benefits of fresh, locally grown food are immense, farmers frequently face financial struggles. Agrivoltaic panels offer a much-needed source of additional income.

Farmer Tom Roberts shared his perspective:

“Like Most Farmers in Massachusetts, our backs are against the wall when it comes to making a living in the dirt”. He passed on more lucrative offers that would have taken up more land. “This is special land. It grows great corn. It grows great alfalfa”.

Farmer Robert’s situation is not unique to Massachusetts or the nation. While 2023 was a record year for farming income, less than 50% of farms were profitable in the USA. Revenue is expected to drop in 2024 notes Nathan L’Etoile-National Farm Viability Managing Director of American Farmland Trust:

“2023 was a record year for net farm income in America at $140 billion. Yet more than half of all farms lost money, and 2024 is expected to see a 25% drop in net farm income. Agrivoltaics are a way for farmers to increase and diversify their income streams and keep farmland farming.”

Benefits to consumers

A large amount of the output was purchased by Lowell General Hospital and some output is going to a program to benefit low to moderate income Household. Lowell General Hospital as the “anchor” tenant certainly understands the financial benefits of the project, but has a thirst for more explains Kevin Foley-Director Plant Operations & Property:

“We have had a hard time getting these subscriptions and are still having problems filling all our needs. We really need more of these due to end user demand.”

Foley’s concerns reflect a broader issue: electricity demand is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, after a long period of stagnation, while generation capacity may not keep pace. Projects like this help alleviate some of the strain on the grid.

Why Haven’t More Agrivoltaic Projects Been Built?

With the potential cashflow that can be generated for farmers with minimal space requirements a great question was asked at the Walkthrough why aren’t more of these being built?

It’s a tough concept to grasp might be a key reason-solar panels above crops. Seeing it firsthand to me was certainly an eye opener.

BlueWave Solar, the developer of this project and a leader in this space, says streamlined permitting regulations and faster interconnections to the grid would be beneficial. Mike Marsch, Chief Development Officer at BlueWave, explains: “While siting can be a challenge, today’s constraints are the pace of interconnections and a conflicting patchwork of permitting regulations. We hope the permitting process will improve via the clean energy siting reform included in Governor Healey’s recent budget proposal.”

The pace of interconnections certainly isn’t new news. With the Spending bill hopefully these along with the permitting process can make future projects a lot quicker to build and interconnected to the grid.

The Future Benefits of Agrivoltaics

While agrivoltaic farms won’t single-handedly solve the energy challenges facing the grid, they do offer a source of clean energy and a valuable new revenue stream for farmers. Agrivoltaics not only contribute to renewable energy goals but also provide much-needed financial support for a vital sector of the economy.