The emerging field of agrivoltaics – the intentional combination of solar energy generation and agricultural production on the same area of farmland – offers a promising solution that could help farmers and ranchers build long-term farm viability, reduce loss of farmland, and. . The emerging field of agrivoltaics – the intentional combination of solar energy generation and agricultural production on the same area of farmland – offers a promising solution that could help farmers and ranchers build long-term farm viability, reduce loss of farmland, and. . Farmers and landowners are finding new ways to protect farmland and food security while supporting clean energy. This dairy farm in California's Central Valley has installed solar panels on a portion of its land. [Photo: George Rose/Getty Images] Imagine that you own a small, 20-acre farm in. . Now imagine that a solar-electricity developer approaches you and presents three options: Thousands of farmers across the country, including in the Central Valley, are choosing one of the first two options. Department of Agriculture found that roughly 117,000 U. farm. . Across the country, solar farms have experienced rapid growth, supported by advancements in technology, cost reductions, and policy initiatives such as state-level renewable portfolio standards and tax credits. As shown in Map 1, roughly 18% of ground-mounted PV facilities in the U. It includes solar co-located with crops, grazing, beekeeping, pollinator habitat, aquaculture, or farm or dairy processing. According to the American Farmland Trust's (AFT) Farms Under Threat: 2040 analysis, there is potential that 83% of solar built by 2040. .
