Star Tribune | Walker Orenstein, May 29 CLEAR LAKE, MINN. — Sheep clambered out of a trailer, rushed down a ramp and spilled into a field of knee-high grass covered by rows of solar panels. Some leaped as they exited, joining the chorus of bleats and laughter from the humans watching. The animals deployed ThursdayContinueContinue reading “Xcel lets loose a small army of hungry sheep to keep its solar farm in order”
Tag Archives: Agrivoltaics
ISU, Alliant Energy solar farm caretakers showcase agrivoltaics results
Iowa Capital Dispatch | Brooklyn Draisey, September 4 Solar panels shone in the light of a clear sky Wednesday morning, occasionally clicking as they followed the sun’s path. Tucked underneath and around the array’s structure were plants — peppers, strawberries, raspberries, and grapes; even the beginnings of prairie plants, grass and clover. Bugs flitted aboutContinueContinue reading “ISU, Alliant Energy solar farm caretakers showcase agrivoltaics results”
Instead of competing for land, some farmers and solar developers want to work side by side
Chicago Tribune | Karina Atkins, August 1 Matt Riggs’ family has been farming in Urbana since 1874. But, his parents had to work second jobs to cushion themselves from the volatile corn and soybean markets that dominate Illinois’ agricultural sector. It quickly became clear that Riggs would also need to find another income stream ifContinueContinue reading “Instead of competing for land, some farmers and solar developers want to work side by side”
Ohio’s largest solar farm will also be the US’s largest agrivoltaics project
Electrek | Michelle Lewis, March 25 Ohio has green-lit what will be the state’s largest solar farm – and the US’s largest agrivoltaics project. The $1 billion Oak Run Solar Project, approved by the Ohio Power Siting Board last week, will sit on over 6,000 acres in Madison County, west of Columbus. Bill Gates owns some ofContinueContinue reading “Ohio’s largest solar farm will also be the US’s largest agrivoltaics project”
Renewable Energy Strengthens Agriculture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjmCgirw-k0 Credit: How Wind Turbines Strengthen Agriculture (youtube.com) Renewable energy provides a “cash crop” for farmers and enables opportunities for farmland to have dual income streams by growing crops near solar panels and/or wind turbines. Renewable energy helps preserve and restore farmland, which can make it even more productive in the future years after yearsContinueContinue reading “Renewable Energy Strengthens Agriculture”
Utility-scale solar could be a big win for Ohio’s livestock farmers
Idea Stream Public Media | Clare Roth November 30 Renewable energy in Ohio is about to ramp up. The Ohio Power Siting Board says over two dozen utility scale solar farms were approved this year. Those farms will need upkeep, and not just of the panels: solar companies will need to manage weeds and shrubs onContinueContinue reading “Utility-scale solar could be a big win for Ohio’s livestock farmers”
Opinion | In Michigan, clean energy and agriculture are allies, not enemies
Bridge Michigan | Justin Carpenter October 27 Michigan is in the midst of big moves to solidify its transition to clean energy, with several pieces of legislation that would codify the MI Healthy Climate Plan, with a goal of the state’s electric grid running on 60 percent clean energy by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040,ContinueContinue reading “Opinion | In Michigan, clean energy and agriculture are allies, not enemies”
Crops and solar intersect as Iowa’s first agrivoltaics project prepares to power up
The Gazette | Brittney J. Miller October 20 AMES — On Thursday’s chilly fall morning, the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University looked like any other solar farm. Thousands of panels stretched toward the heavens and fanned across the landscape, welcoming any rays of sun that might escape the overcast sky above. ButContinueContinue reading “Crops and solar intersect as Iowa’s first agrivoltaics project prepares to power up”