Regional dynamics of agrivoltaics adoption: Stakeholder perceptions and barriers in Maryland, USA

Agrivoltaics is touted as a win-win practice that combines agricultural production with solar energy production on the same land. Despite a promising list of associated benefits, previous research documents significant adoption barriers. Prior national-scale studies leave space to identify local or regional factors influencing agrivoltaics practice. Adoption of a novel technology ultimately requires behavioral changes that are shaped by knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). We conducted a series of focus groups to assess the KAP factors of different sectors that shape agrivoltaics in Montgomery County, Maryland. Participants completed a visual survey to assess their interpretation of agrivoltaics. Through these measures, we provide a local and regional understanding of agrivoltaic interpretations, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Our results indicate a lack of a consensus definition of agrivoltatics, but highlight a strong preference for systems involving crops or grazing livestock over pollinator habitats. Benefits identified by participants reflect key environmental concerns around climate and greenhouse gases, but also extend to economic stability and resilience, and land tenure security. Focus groups revealed skepticism about the applicability of global agrivoltaic research to local contexts. Participant skepticism also reflected the complex socio-enviro-technical aspects of renewable energy transitions. Our results underscore the need for region-specific strategies and educational initiatives (in this case, the mid-Atlantic, USA) to address stakeholder perceptions and facilitate implementation. The social factors identified using an engaged KAP approach is critical for reaching renewable energy goals with the needs and desires of local stakeholders, practitioners, and communities.