Factor This Harvesting sunlight: Agrivoltaics is winning over middle America
Aug 11, 2025
Ed Baptista, Ethan Winter, and Jesse Robertson-Dubois join the discussion on agrivoltaics, where farming meets solar energy to boost productivity and preserve land. They explore the collaborative potential between farmers and solar developers, emphasizing community engagement and trust. The conversation highlights innovative practices, such as grazing sheep on solar farms, creating win-win scenarios for landowners. Financial insights reveal how solar leases can provide new income streams for farmers while addressing food demands and farmland conservation.
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Turn Vegetation Costs Into On‑Site Production
- Ed Baptista converts required vegetation management into on-site agricultural production inside solar fences.
- This approach reduces O&M costs while building community partnerships with local farmers.
Opening The Gates Sparks Farmer Innovation
- Open the gates and ask farmers what equipment, livestock, and crops they use to spark practical innovations.
- Jesse Robertson-Dubois says farmer knowledge produces quick, low-cost solutions developers often miss.
Sheep Grazing Cuts Landscaping Costs
- Large-scale sheep grazing now manages over 100,000 acres of solar sites and dramatically lowers landscaping costs.
- Jesse Robertson-Dubois highlights simple tools like polywire as cheaper, faster livestock solutions in arrays.