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Agrivoltaics Align with Green New Deal Goals While Supporting Investment in the US’ Rural Economy

Author

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  • Kyle W. Proctor

    (Water Resources Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
    Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA)

  • Ganti S. Murthy

    (Water Resources Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
    Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
    Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Indore, Khandwa Road, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453552, India)

  • Chad W. Higgins

    (Water Resources Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
    Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA)

Abstract

Agrivoltaic systems combine solar photovoltaic energy production with agriculture to improve land-use efficiency. We provide an upper-bound reduced-order cost estimate for widespread implementation of Agrivoltaic systems in the United States. We find that 20% of the US’ total electricity generation can be met with Agrivoltaic systems if less than 1% of the annual US budget is invested into rural infrastructure. Simultaneously, Agrivoltaic systems align well with existing Green New Deal goals. Widescale installation of Agrivoltaic systems can lead to a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions reduction equivalent to removing 71,000 cars from the road annually and the creation of over 100,000 jobs in rural communities. Agrivoltaics provide a rare chance for true synergy: more food, more energy, lower water demand, lower carbon emissions, and more prosperous rural communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyle W. Proctor & Ganti S. Murthy & Chad W. Higgins, 2020. "Agrivoltaics Align with Green New Deal Goals While Supporting Investment in the US’ Rural Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:137-:d:468191
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Dohlman, Erik & Maguire, Karen & Davis, Wilma V. & Husby, Megan & Bovay, John & Weber, Catharine & Lee, Yoonjung, 2024. "Trends, Insights, and Future Prospects for Production in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Agrivoltaics Systems," Economic Information Bulletin 340508, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Pascaris, Alexis S. & Gerlak, Andrea K. & Barron-Gafford, Greg A., 2023. "From niche-innovation to mainstream markets: Drivers and challenges of industry adoption of agrivoltaics in the U.S," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    4. Wang, Hsiao-Wen & Dodd, Adrienne & Ko, Yekang, 2022. "Resolving the conflict of greens: A GIS-based and participatory least-conflict siting framework for solar energy development in southwest Taiwan," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 879-892.
    5. Aidana Chalgynbayeva & Tamás Mizik & Attila Bai, 2022. "Cost–Benefit Analysis of Kaposvár Solar Photovoltaic Park Considering Agrivoltaic Systems," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Zainali, Sebastian & Ma Lu, Silvia & Stridh, Bengt & Avelin, Anders & Amaducci, Stefano & Colauzzi, Michele & Campana, Pietro Elia, 2023. "Direct and diffuse shading factors modelling for the most representative agrivoltaic system layouts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    7. Assan, Elsie & Olechnowicz, Casey & Ogunyiola, Ayorinde & Esman, Laura A. & Getson, Jackie M. & Behbehani, Lamis & Popovici, Ruxandra & Radulski, Brennan & Prokopy, Linda, 2025. "Solar panel attitudes and land use preferences in a Midwestern US state," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    8. Cuppari, Rosa Isabella & Branscomb, Allan & Graham, Maggie & Negash, Fikeremariam & Smith, Angelique Kidd & Proctor, Kyle & Rupp, David & Tilahun Ayalew, Abiyou & Getaneh Tilaye, Gizaw & Higgins, Chad, 2024. "Agrivoltaics: Synergies and trade-offs in achieving the sustainable development goals at the global and local scale," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    9. Liu, Qunyue & Chen, Taoyu & Zhang, Ni & Lin, Zhiqian & Ye, Zubin & Jiang, Kunneng & Gao, Yaling & Guo, Yourui & Weng, Aifang, 2025. "Assessing the sustainable development potential of rooftop agrivoltaics: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

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