University of Arizona Researchers Receive $1.2 Million Grant for Agrivoltaics Project

Tucson-based researchers have been awarded a substantial grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to explore the feasibility of agrivoltaics, a method of using land for both growing crops and collecting solar energy. The project, which involves examining the potential of existing commercial solar farms to support agricultural production, has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about food, water, and energy production, especially in arid regions like Arizona.

Key Takeaways:

• The University of Arizona researchers have been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for a project focused on agrivoltaics, the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar energy production.
• The researchers, led by Professor Greg Barron-Gafford, will examine the potential of existing commercial solar farms to support agricultural production in central Arizona.
• The project will consist of three test plots at a utility-scale solar facility, where researchers will test different watering strategies and use the shadows cast by solar panels to provide benefits to the agricultural process.
• The researchers aim to explore the potential of agrivoltaics to create new opportunities for rural agricultural producers and accelerate the positive impact of clean energy projects in rural communities.
• The project will also examine the potential of climate-smart plants, such as prickly pear and agave, to thrive in the conditions provided by agrivoltaics.
• The study also highlights the benefits of agrivoltaics, including reduced water loss and improved solar panel efficiency, which can lead to increased agricultural productivity and revenue.
• The project will involve collaboration with various departments and centers at the University of Arizona, including the School of Geography, Development and Environment, Biosphere 2, and the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy.

Statistics:

• The $1.2 million grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to support the research project, which is part of the Foundational Agrivoltaic Research for Megawatt Scale program.
• The project aims to provide new economic opportunities for farmers, rural communities, and the solar industry in the Southwestern United States.
• The researchers will test three different watering strategies, ranging from intensive irrigation to almost no water, and use the shadows cast by solar panels to provide benefits to the agricultural process.
• The study estimates that agrivoltaics can reduce water loss and improve solar panel efficiency, leading to increased agricultural productivity and revenue.

Sources:

• University of Arizona press release, February 15, 2023.
• The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona.