By Blake Jackson
In a bid to accelerate New York's clean energy transition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) launched a $5 million program fostering agrivoltaic projects.
Agrivoltaics enable the co-location of solar energy generation with ongoing agricultural activities on a single site. This initiative seeks to strike a balance between achieving renewable energy targets and supporting the agricultural sector.
Researchers, solar developers, farmers, and other relevant entities are invited to submit proposals for grants of up to $750,000. Selected projects will serve as models for effectively integrating photovoltaic (PV) panels on agricultural land while ensuring continued crop production.
Data gleaned from successful projects will be disseminated to encourage broader adoption of agrivoltaic technology throughout New York.
This program aligns with the state's ambitious goals of achieving a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040. Proposals are open until September 12, 2024.
Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography
Categories: New York, Energy