Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics combines solar photovoltaic-based renewable energy generation with agricultural production. The technology shows promise to mitigate climate change impacts on crop and livestock productivity, generate significant clean, renewable energy, increase agricultural water efficiency, diversify and enhance income sources for farmers, and increase the productivity of agricultural land-use in the nation.
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Agricultural Experiment Station is building infrastructure and supporting fundamental and practical research needed to accelerate the adoption of innovative agrivoltaic systems in Colorado.
Achievements
Agrivoltaics and Livestock
A planned project at CSU’s Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center will install photovoltaic panels over cattle pens. These panels will complement existing panels over sheep grazing areas already at the center.
Experimental Agrivoltaic Research Arrays
CSU faculty, Alan Knapp–Biology and Ron Meyer–extension agronomist, are currently funded by the USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agricultural Systems program to build replicated Experimental Agrivoltaic Research Arrays –consisting of rows of PV panels deployed at low-density to accommodate dual agriculture and energy generation land use in native Colorado grasslands.
Photovoltaic Panels
Photovoltaic panels are being constructed over the Semi-Arid Grassland Research Center, an AES rangeland site located in Nunn, CO.
Small Scale Agrivoltaics
Small scale agrivoltaics experiments are underway at ARDEC-South over vegetables. These experiments, led by Mark Uchanski in HLA, are testing various panel transparencies for impacts on production.
Green Roof at CSU Spur
Solutions to Colorado Commodity Challenges Initiative
Through the Solutions to Colorado Commodity Challenges initiative, CAS and AES have invested a total of $160K into four projects to help CSU researchers build competitive programs in the area of agrivoltaics, including:
$19,000
Rooftop Agrivoltaics
Support for the leafy green yield and environmental condition characterization research project.
Project Leads: Bousselot, Sampath, Sites, Meyer and Ballard.
$34,000
Evaluating the Potential of Different Agrivoltaic Systems in Colorado
Project Leads: Schipanski, Toy, Knapp, Malin, Macknick, Kominek. Partner: Jack’s Solar Garden.
$24,000
Balancing Innovation with Practicality
Assessing agrivoltaics from the perspectives of Western Colorado fruit orchard growers.
Project Leads: Tonnessen, Hoag.
$30,000
Agrivoltaics innovation for Colorado
Project Lead: Uchanski; Partners: Irrigation Innovation Consortium; Sandbox Solar.
Upcoming Agrivoltaics Events
June 11-13, 2024:
- Join us for the Agrivoltaics World Conference in Denver, Colorado USA June 11-13 2024. More details, including how to submit an abstract, can be found here.
The Colorado Agrivoltaics Symposium
On September 13, 2023 CSU hosted a first-of-its-kind Colorado Agrivoltaics Symposium at the Spur campus in Denver. The symposium drew more than 60 attendees. Participants were asked to respond to two thematic prompts and a facilitated discussion followed.
Prompt 1: What would need to be true to adopt agrivoltaics at scale?
1. Economic Viability and Sustainability:
- Ensure economic benefits for farmers and investors.
- Address interconnection cost-sharing.
- Align costs with existing agricultural practices.
- Promote continuous investment and consider socioeconomic factors.
- Focus on economic metrics beyond $ per watt.
2. Design and Adaptability:
- Develop adaptable and innovative agrivoltaic systems.
- Design systems that can adapt to changing farming practices.
- Collaborate with farmers in co-creating designs.
- Explore material innovation and promote domestic supply chains.
- Multifunctionality and Cattle Integration:
- Promote multifunctional system designs.
- Enable cattle to coexist within solar arrays.
- Develop equipment compatible with existing arrays.
3. Resilience and Climate Compatibility:
- Enhance system resilience against extreme weather and climate change.
- Implement timely activation and deactivation mechanisms.
- Ensure compatibility with various crop types influenced by climate change.
4. Market Branding and Awareness & Product Development:
- Identify markets and create consumer awareness.
- Build support through public relations and showcase projects.
- Recognize socioeconomic value and generate a sense of urgency.
- Foster emotional engagement and cultural values.
- Create markets for agrivoltaic products.
- Develop cost-effective technologies.
- Improve crop yields and ecosystem health.
5. Emotional Engagement and Cultural & Social Values:
- Bridge cultural values
- Generate a sense of urgency and emotional engagement.
6. Scientific Research and Data Support:
- Ensure scientific backing and a systems approach.
- Utilize life cycle assessments (LCAs).
- Create a knowledge base for funding and simplifying applications.
- Centralize research and establish research-driven programs.
- Explore opportunities for exporting energy and knowledge to other regions.
- Invest in research supporting agrivoltaic best practices.
- Understand crop preferences and agrivoltaic benefits.
7. Sustainability and Ecological Consciousness:
- Address dust and soil mitigation.
- Customize plant selection based on climate and panels.
- Promote ecological perspectives and land stewardship.
- Improve soil health and ecosystems.
- Focus on net environmental benefits.
- Promote ecological soundness and land stewardship.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supply chain issues.
8. Policy and Grid Integration:
- Establish access to transmission lines and incentivize capacity/ Upgrade grid infrastructure.
- Ensure legal grid connection through UL certification.
- Integrate land stewardship into policy.
- Address grid capacity and transmission access.
- Manage electricity load and distribution.
9. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
- Expand engagement with utilities, developers, and industry.
- Secure buy-in from farmers, landowners, and communities.
- Foster social acceptance and pride in farming communities.
- Collaborate with utility companies and engage policymakers.
10. Exporting Solar Energy and Knowledge:
- Explore opportunities to export solar energy and knowledge to other regions.
Prompt 2: What one project would you propose to move the needle most toward the future for agrivoltaics?
These projects and initiatives encompass a range of research, testing, policy, and practical implementations aimed at advancing agrivoltaic technology and its integration into different agricultural and ecological contexts.
Community Solar Initiatives:
- Community-owned solar projects with virtual net-metered agrivoltaics.
- Community solar with an emphasis on community engagement and extension services.
Research and Testing Facilities:
- More research at CSU related to agricultural research.
- Material and structural engineering research focused on cost-effective installation.
- Agrivoltaics research playground demonstration site for testing different configurations and technology types.
- Large-scale multi-research agrivoltaic site with 10,000 acres for experimentation by researchers and farmers.
- “Agrivoltaics test ground” for testing multiple crops and solar system designs for commercialization.
- Research-focused PV agrivoltaic system at scale.
- Integration of cattle in agrivoltaics.
- Research on alternative materials for panels and racking systems.
- Studies on the ecological, social, and economic dynamics of agrivoltaics in diverse contexts.
Cross-Site Research and Collaboration:
- Cross-site research across the state to increase knowledge about agrivoltaics in different regions.
- Paired experiments across different Colorado ecosystems to compare conventional solar and agrivoltaics.
- Long-term, cross-site, cross-climate, cross-species study on the impact of AV systems on production.
Policy and Regulation Initiatives:
- State-sponsored open bid challenge for financially viable utility-scale projects focused on different types of agriculture.
- More collaboration among utilities in the state and their participation in organized markets.
- Initiatives focused on policy and regulation to address competition from land developers.
- Utility or large entity releasing an RFP specifically for agrivoltaics.
Specific Agrivoltaic Panel Development:
- Development of agrivoltaic-specific panels.
Large-Scale Installations:
- Large-scale installations on federal grazing lands.
- 5-10MW cattle agrivoltaic system.
- Utility-scale projects with regenerative and cover crop integration.
Ecosystem Service Surveys:
- Paired site ecosystem service surveys.
Comprehensive Research and Analysis:
- Comprehensive research analysis, including agricultural ideas, policy, and regulation.
- Life cycle analysis and cost-benefit analysis considering soil carbon, GHG emissions, and upkeep costs.
Interdisciplinary Research Agrivoltaics Seminar
In November of 2023, faculty members from across CSU and industry leaders in Colorado were invited to share their insights and expertise in the field of Agrivoltaics. The panel featured five speakers and included a guided question-and-answer session.