On Thursday, March 12, SACE hosted “Agrivoltaics 101,” a webinar exploring how solar energy and agriculture can work together to support farmers, protect working lands, and advance clean energy goals across the Southeast. Speakers Greg Plotkin, Senior Manager for Smart Solar Outreach and Engagement at American Farmland Trust (AFT), and Mike Storch, Associate Director of Sustainability and Community Impact at Cypress Creek Renewables, shared practical insights and real-world examples of this growing practice.
What Is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics is the integrated use of the same piece of land for both solar energy production and agricultural activity — whether that’s grazing livestock, growing crops, or supporting pollinators. As SACE Executive Director Dr. Stephen A. Smith noted in his opening remarks, solar is now the lowest-cost energy resource available, and pairing it with agriculture offers a compelling opportunity to meet rising energy demand while keeping working lands productive.
Why It Matters
Energy demand in the U.S. is projected to rise significantly, driven by electrification, electric vehicles, and AI data centers. Solar is expected to account for 70% of planned grid additions through 2030. As utility-scale solar projects increasingly site on farmland — often because it’s flat, cleared, and close to infrastructure — there’s growing tension between energy development and agricultural preservation. Agrivoltaics offers a path forward that doesn’t force a choice between the two.
Resources
- Webinar Recording
- Speaker Presentation Slides:
- SACE’s Agrivoltaics Article Series:
- American Farmland Trust Resources:
