Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Place: Greenwich Free Library
Address: 148 Main Street, Greenwich
Agrivoltaic solar is a solar array that’s raised far enough off the ground and spaced in such a way that some crops can still grow around and beneath the panels. The goal is to help farmers diversify their income through renewable energy generation, while keeping land in agricultural use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
ASA has invited representatives from a solar company who are working with T he University of Massachusetts Crop Research and Education Center to come and talk to us about the pros and cons of this “dual-use” solar. T he discussion will help attendees understand the difference between dual-use and single-use solar (dual-use solar means that it allows
for agricultural production as well as solar production).
The discussion will also outline some of the challenges related to dual-use solar and the ideal characteristics of a farm considering dual-use solar implementation as well as provide information on the economics and how it can relate to agricultural production. Dual-Use solar is not a silver bullet and it is not for every farm but there is increasing research that is
demonstrating that it might be compatible for many.
New York State currently doesn’t have the same economic incentives as Massachusetts for dual-use solar. However, we feel it’s important to be proactive and consider if and how this type of solar production might be helpful to farmers as well as potentially position farmers to help meet some of the state’s goals of renewable energy.
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