Big River Farms: Leading the Way in Sustainable Agriculture and Solar Energy

Big River Farms, a valued member of the Greater Stillwater Area Green Business Directory, has achieved national recognition by winning the Solar Farm of the Year award at the Solar Farm Summit in Chicago. This accolade celebrates their innovative agrivoltaics project—an approach that integrates farming with solar energy production to promote sustainability.

The pilot project at Big River Farms showcases how solar panels can coexist with agricultural activities, supporting both emerging farmers and local food systems. As the project progresses into its second year, it is providing crucial insights into expanding this model and enhancing land access for new farmers.

In collaboration with partners such as US Solar, Connexus Energy, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Big River Farms is exploring how agrivoltaics can revolutionize land use. By optimizing both solar and agricultural productivity, this approach not only addresses land use conflicts but also advances sustainable practices for the future.

Sustainable Stillwater MN is thrilled to celebrate Big River Farms’ accomplishments and is excited about the potential of agrivoltaics to drive positive change in both agriculture and energy sectors. Their pioneering work is a testament to the power of innovative, sustainable solutions in creating a greener, more resilient future.

A deeper look at Agrivoltaics:

Agrivoltaics, also known as dual-use solar, involves co-locating solar panels and agricultural activities on the same land. This approach offers benefits to both the solar and agricultural industries by optimizing land use and potentially reducing soft costs associated with solar energy. As the demand for solar energy grows, the ability to balance land use for both energy and agriculture becomes increasingly important. Agrivoltaics represents a promising solution to this challenge, providing diversified revenue sources for farmers and contributing to the overall efficiency of solar energy production.

The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and various research programs, such as the Foundational Agrivoltaic Research for Megawatt Scale (FARMS) funding program, are advancing technologies and practices that support agrivoltaics. These efforts aim to overcome barriers and enhance the integration of solar and agricultural systems, paving the way for a more sustainable and productive future.

For more information on agrivoltaics and related research, visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and explore additional resources on the benefits and advancements in this innovative field.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agriculture-co-location