Key Takeaways:
- Sol Systems and the American Farmland Trust (AFT) have entered into agreements to promote the integration of solar energy with sustainable agricultural practices.
- The partnership includes a three-year Sponsorship Agreement focusing on ‘Smart Solar’ initiatives and a four-year Research Agreement to study soil health on over 2,000 acres of solar sites.
- These agreements aim to explore the environmental and agricultural benefits of incorporating specific vegetation, including pollinator-friendly types, into solar site designs.
- Sol Systems plans to develop six large-scale solar projects in the Midwest, aimed at producing renewable energy while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Sustainable Integration of Solar Energy with Agriculture
Sol Systems, a renewable energy financing and development firm, has announced a series of agreements with the American Farmland Trust (AFT) to advance the sustainable integration of solar energy projects with agricultural land use. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to promote environmentally responsible solar development while maintaining the viability of agricultural practices.
Fostering ‘Smart Solar’ Initiatives
Under a newly signed three-year Sponsorship Agreement, Sol Systems and AFT will collaborate on ‘Smart Solar’ initiatives, a trademark approach by AFT to minimize the environmental impact of solar energy projects. This approach emphasizes ecosystem-focused land stewardship and combines renewable energy solutions with agricultural and land management practices.
Juliana Isaac, representing Sol Systems, shared insights into the collaboration’s objectives, “Sol Systems is at the forefront of evaluating how sound sustainability practices on utility-scale solar can contribute to the longevity of rural landscapes, increased ecosystem benefits, and efficiency and sustainability of solar arrays. We are privileged to partner with AFT on projects that will inform our future work while aiming to influence the global partnership potential of solar energy and agriculture.”
Groundbreaking Research into Soil Health
The partnership also includes a four-year Research Agreement to conduct in-depth studies on soil health at six solar sites developed by Sol Systems. This research, covering over 2,000 acres, aims to provide a quantitative understanding of the benefits of integrating specific vegetation into solar site designs, focusing on pollinator-friendly vegetation. The studies are intended to showcase the environmental and agricultural advantages of agrivoltaics—combining agriculture and photovoltaics for mutual benefit.
Advancing Dual-Use Solar Projects
Over the next seven years, Sol Systems has committed to building six large-scale solar projects in the Midwest. These projects serve dual purposes: increasing renewable energy production and promoting ecological practices that benefit biodiversity and ecosystem health. The partnership between Sol Systems and AFT represents a step toward climate resilience in agricultural communities, offering a model for implementing solar arrays that support both renewable energy generation and agricultural production.
Alan Bailey, Midwest Solar Specialist with AFT, expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative effort, stating, “AFT understands the need for transitioning to renewable energy across the US, and this partnership is an example of how we can work directly with forward-thinking developers to implement our Smart Solar principles. Our organization is excited to research the above and below the land changes and the potential viability for crop production under large-scale solar projects.”
Image provided by Sol Systems
