Solar arrays supply shade — and land — for Midwest farmers – Nebraska Public Media

Report on Agrivoltaics as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Executive Summary

A pilot project by US Solar, in partnership with The Food Group, demonstrates the significant potential of agrivoltaics to advance multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By integrating crop production with solar energy generation, this initiative directly addresses challenges related to clean energy, food security, economic growth, and sustainable land use. This report analyzes the project’s alignment with key SDGs, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Integration of Renewable Energy and Agriculture for Global Goals

Achieving SDG 7 (Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

US Solar’s core mission contributes to SDG 7 and SDG 13 by expanding clean energy infrastructure. The company’s development of solar fields provides a direct response to the need for climate action through renewable energy sources. The agrivoltaics model ensures that this energy production does not come at the expense of other critical land uses.

Fulfilling SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land)

US Solar has implemented multifaceted land-use strategies beneath its solar arrays, demonstrating a commitment to productive and ecologically sound practices that support SDG 2 and SDG 15. Peter Schmitt, the director of project development, affirmed, “Whether it’s pollinators, whether it’s grazing, whether it’s crop production, something has to happen to that land. We’re not going to leave it fallow.”

• Biodiversity and Ecosystems (SDG 15): The majority of the company’s solar fields incorporate native prairie and pollinator habitats, enhancing local biodiversity.
• Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2 & SDG 15): Several sites are utilized by local shepherds for sheep grazing, promoting sustainable livestock management.
• Food Production (SDG 2): The pilot project with The Food Group is the company’s first initiative focused on direct crop production, creating a dual-output system of food and energy from the same land parcel.

Addressing Socio-Economic Challenges through Strategic Collaboration

A Model for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The success of the pilot project is founded on a two-year strategic partnership between US Solar and The Food Group. This collaboration exemplifies SDG 17 by uniting the energy and agricultural sectors to create shared value and sustainable outcomes. Key preparatory actions included:

1. Ensuring farmers have access to essential utilities like water and electricity.
2. Arranging appropriate insurance coverage for the unique farming conditions.
3. Allocating land plots to five distinct farmers to cultivate food.

Promoting SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities)

The agrivoltaics model offers a potent solution to one of the most significant barriers for new agricultural entrepreneurs: land access. This directly supports the creation of decent work and fosters resilient rural communities.

• Land Access Crisis: According to a national survey by the National Young Farmers Coalition, approximately three out of five farmers under 40 find acquiring affordable land to be extremely challenging. This is a critical issue, as over 75% of young farmers are first-generation.
• Economic Opportunity (SDG 8): By providing secure, long-term access to land, agrivoltaics enables young farmers to establish viable careers and make long-term investments in conservation and perennial crops. David Howard of the coalition states, “The longer that we can give farmers certainty… the better.”
• Community Harmony (SDG 11): The model also mitigates land-use conflicts in agricultural communities. In response to concerns about taking farmland out of production, Schmitt noted, “our response could be: neither do we.” This approach fosters community acceptance and ensures land remains agriculturally productive.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article addresses SDG 2 by focusing on innovative agricultural practices (agrivoltaics) that support crop production and the sustainability of the food supply. It highlights the critical issue of land access for young and first-generation farmers, which is a direct barrier to food production and agricultural sustainability. The project at “The Food Group” is a direct example of producing food in a novel way.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• This goal is central to the article, as the entire context is the development of solar energy fields by the company US Solar. The practice of agrivoltaics is presented as a way to make solar energy development more compatible with other land uses, thereby facilitating the expansion of renewable energy. The article mentions “solar arrays across the country,” indicating a push for wider adoption of clean energy.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article connects to SDG 8 by discussing the economic challenges faced by young farmers, specifically the difficulty in finding affordable land. By providing plots to farmers, the agrivoltaics project creates economic opportunities and supports careers in agriculture. The National Young Farmers Coalition’s work, mentioned in the article, advocates for policies to “support people starting a career in agriculture,” which aligns with promoting productive employment.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article touches on SDG 11 by addressing land-use conflicts in rural communities. It notes that solar development is “not necessarily welcome in every community” due to concerns about “farmland taken out of production.” Agrivoltaics is proposed as a solution to improve the “relationship between solar companies and rural towns” by enabling dual-use of land, making development more sustainable and socially acceptable.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• SDG 15 is relevant because the article explicitly mentions that US Solar’s fields incorporate “native prairie and pollinator habitats under the rows of panels.” This practice directly contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems. The mention of farmers making “conservation investments” on land with long-term tenure also supports the sustainable management of land.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers… including through secure and equal access to land…
   • The article directly addresses this target by highlighting that “finding affordable land was very or extremely challenging” for young farmers. The agrivoltaics project provides a solution by “allocating plots to five different farmers” and securing “long-term land access,” which is essential for them to make investments and improve productivity.
2. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…
   • Agrivoltaics, the core topic, is an example of a sustainable and resilient agricultural practice that integrates crop production with renewable energy generation. The article emphasizes that this approach ensures land is not left “fallow” or taken “out of production,” contributing to sustainable food systems.
3. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The work of US Solar to “expand agrivoltaics in their solar arrays across the country” is a direct contribution to increasing the share of renewable (solar) energy. The article’s focus is on making this expansion more feasible and accepted in agricultural communities.
4. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…
   • The practice of using the land under solar panels for “native prairie and pollinator habitats” is a clear example of conserving and sustainably using terrestrial ecosystems within an energy development project.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Indicator for Target 2.3 (Implied): The number of young or first-generation farmers who have secured long-term access to farmland through agrivoltaic projects. The article states that “three of every five of farmers 40 years of age or younger said finding affordable land was very or extremely challenging,” establishing a baseline problem. The success of the pilot, which “allocat[ed] plots to five different farmers,” can be measured by tracking this number as the practice expands.
• Indicator for Target 2.4 (Implied): The total area of agricultural land under agrivoltaic systems. The article mentions this is the company’s “first agrivoltaics experiment with crop production” and their plan to “expand agrivoltaics.” Measuring the acreage dedicated to this dual-use system would track progress toward more sustainable food production systems.
• Indicator for Target 15.1 (Mentioned): The area of land within solar fields dedicated to biodiversity habitats. The article explicitly states that “All but one of the company’s solar fields have native prairie and pollinator habitats under the rows of panels.” This is a direct, measurable indicator of ecosystem conservation efforts.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nebraskapublicmedia.org