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About the Episode:
How can we meet the growing demands for renewable energy without losing precious agricultural land?
Agrivoltaics! It’s one of the most exciting growth sectors in solar energy! This approach leverages solar photovoltaic (PV) systems without losing the property’s agricultural capabilities, thus unlocking fertile and scarce land’s dual-use potential.
Few have done as much to proliferate education on this topic as Dan French, Executive Producer of the Solar Farm Summit. We recently had Dan take over as a stand-in host for Nico, and he invited Mr. Dave Gahl, Executive Director at the Solar and Storage Industries Institute to discuss all that agrivoltaic promises and what barriers still hold this promising vertical back.
French and Gahl provide insights from the field where these practices are helping to stabilize farm revenue, enhance biodiversity, and support renewable energy goals.
Expect to learn:
Key barriers to wider agrivoltaics adoption
How The Solar Farm Summit’s case studies help to standardize templates like grazing contracts and insurance agreements
Current funding opportunities for agrivoltaics projects
Discover how agrivoltaics is offering a win-win solution for farmers, energy producers, and the environment.
And don’t miss out on the best annual agrivoltaics conference, happening in just a few weeks in Chicago - the www.solarfarmsummit.com!
Helpful RESOURCES:
Connect with Dan French:
Connect with Dave Gahl:
Check out Solar Farm Summit:
Check out Solar and Storage Industries Institute:
Resources:
NOTEWORTHY QUOTE:
“My favorite study from the University of Arizona, tripled the peppers produced under the panel’s only using half the water because the plants aren’t sweating all day. So super simple, super compelling science.”
“I think the rubber hits the road really at the state level. I’m pleased to see federal legislation on these issues, because I think that can help as well, but what we’ve seen in states like Massachusetts, for example, had a pretty sizable incentive built into their SMART solar incentive program.”
Thanks again to this week's sponsor, helping keep the podcast FREE to you!
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ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:
Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.
Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 16-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.
You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.
If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.