The article discusses the concept of agrivoltaics, the practice of growing crops beneath solar panels, which is being explored by researchers at Colorado State University as a sustainable way to integrate agriculture and solar energy production. Assistant Professor Jennifer Bousselot and postdoctoral scientist Analissa Sarno are leading the research, which aims to optimize the combination of crop production and energy generation. Sarno has received a $225,000 grant to study agrivoltaics in Western Colorado, focusing on the benefits of integrating crops and solar panels, such as increased water efficiency, soil health, and the potential for livestock integration. However, the feasibility of agrivoltaics on a large scale is still uncertain, and researchers must consider challenges such as livestock interference, energy company involvement, and soil damage. For agrivoltaics to be successful, it requires coordination between utility companies, landowners, and farmers to maximize land use and revenue streams. The commercial success of agrivoltaics also depends on location, with urban areas being more suitable, but rural areas, such as the Western slope, needing further study.
Colorado State University Explores the Potential of Agrivoltaics
