Across the United States, farmers are increasingly leasing their expansive, open land for utility-scale solar arrays, recognizing the mutual benefits of this partnership.
This collaboration is further strengthened by the innovative concept of agrivoltaics, which seamlessly integrates solar energy production with agricultural practices.
Agrivoltaics: Addressing Concerns and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
With growing opposition to rural solar development in some regions, agrivoltaics offers a compelling solution. By enabling continued agricultural use of the land, it addresses concerns about the conversion of farmland for solar energy purposes.
Livestock grazing and pollinator habitats are already common applications for agrivoltaic systems, while research into specialty crops and human food production under solar panels is gaining momentum.
The Eldorado Project: Pioneering Kernza Cultivation Under Solar Panels
In Illinois, the Eldorado solar project by Sol Systems showcases the potential of agrivoltaics to support sustainable agriculture.
Phase II of this project expands the solar array’s capacity to over 300 megawatts, making it one of the largest solar developments in the region and a pioneer in incorporating agrivoltaics for grain cultivation.
A significant portion of the Eldorado project will be dedicated to growing Kernza®, a perennial grain renowned for its ability to sequester carbon and improve soil health.
This innovative approach is particularly noteworthy as it extends the benefits of agrivoltaics to field crops, traditionally cultivated with large machinery.
Innovative Design and Environmental Considerations
To accommodate the cultivation and harvesting of Kernza, the solar panels at Eldorado are raised higher and spaced wider apart. The wiring is also adapted to allow for harvest equipment.
Additionally, the project integrates pollinator-friendly vegetation to promote biodiversity and support habitat restoration, contributing to a more sustainable ecosystem.
Kernza, a non-GMO alternative to wheat and other annual grains, offers numerous environmental benefits.
Its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion, enhance soil health, and reduce nutrient runoff. However, despite its advantages, Kernza has yet to gain widespread adoption due to the lack of a mature market.
Boosting the Kernza Market through Agrivoltaics
The Eldorado project has the potential to revitalize the Kernza market by providing farmers with a new avenue for cultivation.
By integrating Kernza with solar energy production, the project offers farmers a unique opportunity to diversify their income streams and contribute to sustainable agriculture.
With a growing interest in sustainable energy and agriculture, agrivoltaics is poised for significant growth in the coming years.
Sol Systems’ recent investments in solar projects, coupled with its partnership with the American Farmland Trust, underscore the company’s commitment to advancing agrivoltaics and supporting farmers in adopting sustainable practices.
The Eldorado project stands as a testament to the transformative power of agrivoltaics, demonstrating how solar energy and agriculture can coexist harmoniously to create a more sustainable and resilient future for both industries.