$750K Awarded by NYSERDA to Co-Locate Solar & Agricultural Operations to United Agrivoltaics

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced over $7 million dollars in funding to co-locate solar and agricultural operations within the state, including $750,000 to United Agrivoltaics. According to NYSERA, over $2 million was awarded to four projects to demonstrate the potential impacts and benefits of using the same land for renewable energy generation from solar panels and active farming, also known as agrivoltaics. Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was also awarded a $5 million grant to construct agrivoltaics projects at its agricultural experiment stations.

“We are proud to partner with farmers, developers, and research partners to advance projects that support solar as a resource to produce energy in New York State while sustaining agriculture operations for economic growth. By examining different means of integrating agriculture operations and clean energy siting, we will build our understanding of the costs, benefits and market potential of locating two essential industries in the same space.” Said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris.

Under the funding awarded to United Agrivoltaics, solar sites in Cortland, Schuyler, Tompkins, and Niagara counties will be utilized to demonstrate adding pigs, poultry, and specialty crops within existing solar sites. The total amount of land expected to be used is 100 acres. Combined, the solar fields in the four counties produce 15,850 kilowatts of community solar.

United Agrivoltaics Owner Caleb Scott said, “At United Agrivoltaics, we see every solar project as more than just clean energy—it’s an opportunity to grow food, strengthen farms, and bring new life to the land. With this support from NYSERDA, we will showcase how farmers and developers can work together to maximize a site’s potential, producing renewable power alongside wholesome local food. Our goal is to share with the world a model that proves solar can serve both our communities and our agricultural future.” 

The projects, NYSERDA says, will enable their agency and researchers to understand the costs, benefits and lessons learned from agrivoltaics and then be able to share data to develop best practices.