The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today (Nov 5) announced over $7 million has been awarded to projects that co-locate solar and agricultural operations in New York State. Through NYSERDA's Environmental Research Program, 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. Additionally, a $5 million grant was awarded to Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to construct agrivoltaics projects at its agricultural experiment stations. Together, the demonstration of and research findings gained from these projects will support a broader understanding of the costs, benefits, and market potential for agrivoltaics as part of New York State's clean energy transition and economic growth.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "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."

Agriculture is a critically important sector of New York's economy, with over 33,000 farms across approximately 20 percent of the state's land area, or close to 7 million acres. Farmers, many who are struggling, have expressed interest in the potential for solar energy to provide an additional revenue stream to help stabilize farm income and sustain farm operations. The New York State Farmland Protection Working Group , overseen by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), recommended that the State study co-utilizing land for renewable energy generation and agricultural production with the potential to play an important role in meeting New York State's future energy and agricultural development needs. These awards demonstrate NYSERDA's commitment to developing information and tools that support decision-making in communities and engaging property owners who are considering co-utilization opportunities for agriculture and renewable energy generation to help them keep their land and stay in business.

Agrivoltaics Demonstration Awards
The awards support integrating both new or retrofitted solar and farm operations such as those with grazing, forage or specialty crop production. Researchers, solar developers, farmers, non-profit organizations and local governments were eligible to submit proposals that include a solar site design, marketable agricultural commodity, estimates of expected agricultural production and solar generation.

The awarded projects include:

Capital Region

• New York Power Authority was awarded $750,000 to develop a 1,200-1,500-kilowatt solar array that can power approximately 230 New York homes per year on close to 14 acres of State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill campus in Schoharie County, using elevated panels for cattle grazing in rotation with growing corn, spaced to accommodate traditional harvesting equipment.

Finger Lakes

• K&MH Martens Farms was awarded $185,000 to incorporate agrivoltaics into the development of a 300-kilowatt solar array for a microgrid to support an on-site grain processing operation. The project also seeks to use the solar array to maximize shade benefits for grazing dairy cattle, enhance productivity of the soil and extend the growing season for cool-season grasses while using construction processes that protect soil and farmland pasture in Yates County.

Hudson Valley

• Lightstar Renewables was awarded over $515,000 for a 3,200-kilowatt solar array to produce electricity to be provided to the grid, which is equivalent to that used by approximately 725 New York homes per year. The construction features wider spacing of solar panels to enable the continuation of hay production and harvest on one to two acres of new vegetable operations in Orange County.

Southern Tier and Western New York

• United Agrivoltaics was awarded $750,000 to demonstrate adding pigs, poultry, and specialty crops at existing solar sites in Cortland, Schuyler, Tompkins, and Niagara counties that already produce 15,850 kilowatts of community solar and cover a total of more than 100 acres.

These projects enable NYSERDA and researchers to understand the costs, benefits, and lessons learned related to agrivoltaics and share data that can be used to develop best practices. NYSERDA convenes the New York State Agricultural Technical Working Group (A-TWG), an independent advisory body comprised of farmers and farming stakeholders, solar developers, state agencies and non-governmental organizations, to advise and steer efforts in advancing solar energy development in a responsible way that supports New York State's agricultural operations, lands, farmers and communities. The A-TWG commissioned the report Growing Agrivoltaics in New York State published in 2023 that identified opportunities and constraints associated with the increasing uptake of agrivoltaics projects in New York State. The A-TWG also provides input on the Smart Solar Siting Scorecard which is used to evaluate applications for utility scale solar projects for their avoidance and mitigation of agricultural and forest lands. NYSERDA in ongoing consultation with the AGM and the A-TWG will study the results of the awarded agrivoltaic projects to understand the opportunities and market potential for agrivoltaics in New York State.

$5 Million Agrivoltaics Construction Projects

NYSERDA also announced that it has awarded a $5 million grant to Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) to construct agrivoltaic projects at its Agricultural Experiment Station sites in the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes. These sites will conduct long term research on the dual-use of solar operations and agriculture practices across a range of growing conditions and crops relevant to state agricultural producers.

CALS Hudson Valley Research Lab, in the hamlet of Highland, will construct an approximately 300-kilowatt solar array on about two acres, above high-density apple orchards. Specialized sensors and controls will enable solar panel manipulation for sun and shading preferences and for crop protection from frost and hail weather events. Electricity produced will be used to power research lab operations and surplus power will be supplied to the local electric grid.

Additionally, CALS will construct an approximately 900-kilowatt solar array on the Cornell University campus in the town of Ithaca, and will utilize a tracking system, on about seven acres. Plantings within the solar array will include traditional annual vegetable, field and perennial forage crops. Designed to mimic conditions in a variety of solar array configurations, the system will enable research across a range of disciplines including plant genetics, soil health, and water management strategies associated with agrivoltaics. Electricity produced from the solar array will provide power to Cornell's campus electric grid. CALS will also evaluate constructing agrivoltaics at its Cornell Agri-Tech research farm in the city of Geneva.

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "Agrivoltaics projects balance the need for additional renewable energy capacity and the preservation of arable farmland. Farmers are the backbone of New York's rural communities, and funding support for projects like these is important as we aim to strengthen our understanding of this innovative technology that can enhance agricultural productivity while contributing to the energy diversity of our state's grid."

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "There is a real opportunity here before us as we work to support our farmers while furthering our State's clean, renewable energy agenda. These projects will help us gain a better understanding of how a farm business and solar can co-locate and allow us to learn best practices along the way to ensure agrivoltaics are a beneficial option for our farmers moving into the future. We look forward to seeing these innovative projects and accompanying research across the State take shape."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "SUNY applauds this investment by Governor Hochul and NYSERDA to move forward on our state's ambitious clean energy and sustainability goals, and to open up additional sources of income for farmers by incorporating technology into agricultural operations. We are especially pleased that SUNY's Cornell College of Agriculture and Lifestyle Sciences will play a key role in this initiative, with the generous support of $5 million funding, as well as SUNY Cobleskill's partnership with NYPA to help support the power needs from solar arrays on the campus' property."

Senator Kevin Parker, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, said, "In the face of gridlock and dysfunction in Washington, I am proud that New York continues to lead by example when it comes to building a sustainable and equitable clean energy future. While others debate, we deliver. I commend NYSERDA for their steadfast commitment to innovation and their ability to keep moving this state forward investing in our farmers, our environment, and our economy. These projects prove that even in challenging times, New Yorkers rise to the occasion, working together to turn bold ideas into real progress. That's what leadership looks like."

Senator Michelle Hinchey, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said, "Agrivoltaics gives us hope as we confront growing challenges to our food supply and energy future, and we're thrilled that the Hudson Valley one of our country's most important agricultural regions is leading the way on this innovative solution. This major investment in the Hudson Valley Research Laboratory, and other projects across New York, will pioneer the research and science-backed guidance we've been advocating for to co-produce food and clean energy on the same land. Congratulations to all awardees, and thank you for keeping New York at the forefront of sustainable innovation."

Senator Peter Harckham, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation, said, "The use of agricultural land for solar energy projects is not a false choice, as their co-use now helps keep many family farms in operation statewide and also lowers electricity costs for ratepayers. NYSERDA's newly announced investments in agrivoltaics demonstration projects around New York stand as forward-thinking efforts toward a shared sustainable future."

Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, said, "As Chair of the Assembly's Energy Committee, and a member of the Agriculture Committee, I have been a longtime advocate for agrivoltaics. Our state has world class soils which have fed New York families for generations and agrivoltaics enables farms to keep growing food while concurrently increasing our renewable energy production. These newly funded demonstration projects push the envelope to expand our understanding of what agrivoltaics can do, and I thank Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for their support of these initiatives."

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, said, "NYSERDA's investment in agrivoltaics will dramatically improve our understanding of the potential for dual-use solar on NY farmland. As Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, keeping farmland in production is a top priority, including the co-location of solar arrays with long-established farming commodities. Today's announcement complements the work we have supported through the Ag & Market budget at Cornell University and will allow other projects to proceed as well. As we navigate NY's clean energy transition, agrivoltaics could prove to be a viable option for farmers to consider."

Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, said, "Agrivoltaics recognizes the importance of both renewable energy and the critical role of our farmers and farmland. This significant environmental and farm investment will promote sustainability, increased land efficiency, and enable much needed diversified revenue sources for New York farmers. I'm equally pleased that the vital work done by institutions of higher education, like Cornell University, is being recognized and supported at a time when the federal government has withdrawn support and denigrated the essential research partnership universities provide."

Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Marguerite Wells said, "Agrivoltaics will play an important role in New York's agricultural future. Agriculture and solar do not need to compete for land; we can produce a range of crops alongside solar panels, adding more value for farmers. These projects demonstrate the cutting edge of this field and will spur further innovations. We thank Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for recognizing and encouraging this opportunity as we continue our energy transition."

American Farmland Trust New York and New Jersey Regional Director Linda Garrett and National Smart Solar Director Ethan Winter said, "American Farmland Trust commends NYSERDA for their substantial investment in agrivoltaics research and demonstration. This funding will advance our understanding of potential for integration of solar energy with agriculture, informing policy makers and communities on beneficial pathways for meeting New York's ambitious clean energy and regional economic development goals. AFT is a long-time collaborator with New York State and we look forward to engaging the innovators selected for this investment in agrivoltaics."

Lightstar Chief Strategy Officer Lucy Bullock-Sieger said, "These Lightstar projects represent a shift in what is possible for solar and farmers in New York. This is a new choice that doesn't have to be overly complicated. Let farmers farm and we will start to see how agriculture and solar can work together in concert."

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."

K&MH Farms Owner Klaas Martens said, "Farming is inherently the collection and conversion of sunlight into things that people need. We are excited to test a system that allows us to collect that sunlight both for the production of food and for the production of energy. No farmland is being taken out of production with this project."

Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ronald P. Lynch Dean Benjamin Houlton said, "Cornell CALS is proud to partner with NYSERDA to pioneer agrivoltaic research across New York's diverse agricultural landscapes, including the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes. These projects reflect our mission to deliver purpose-driven science that explores new possibilities for food and energy production. By studying how solar arrays interact with crops and growing conditions, we will pioneer new tools and technologies to inform optimal siting practices, protect prime farmland, and support dual-use food and energy solutions. It's a powerful step forward in service of our Land-Grant mission advancing innovation through collaboration and research, serving the needs of New York's communities."

For more than fifty years, NYSERDA has been a trusted and objective resource for New Yorkers, taking on the critical role of energy planning and policy analysis, along with making investments that drive New York toward a more sustainable future. NYSERDA conducts policy and analysis-oriented environmental research to provide pertinent information on the impacts and opportunities of clean energy choices and arising energy options. NYSERDA also supports New York State's farmers in managing their energy use through no-cost technical assistance through the Agriculture Energy Audit Program.

Funding for this initiative is provided through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

NYSERDA

Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York's energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov .