Exploring Agrivoltaics with American Farmland Trust | EP224

In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Ethan Winter and Austin Kinzer from American Farmland Trust (AFT) to explore the world of agrivoltaics. We discuss AFT's "Smart Solar" program, which aims to balance the acceleration of clean energy with the preservation of thriving farms. We explore the challenges and opportunities of dual-use solar projects, examining how agrivoltaics can provide additional revenue for farmers (and farming communities) while keeping land in production. The conversation touches on farmer attitudes towards solar, highlighting generational differences and the importance of building trust and knowledge in rural communities. Winter and Kinzer provide insights into state-level policies and research on agrivoltaics, as well as the current status and future outlook for these projects in the US. They reveal that currently about 10% of US solar projects involve some form of agrivoltaics, primarily sheep grazing, and discuss the growing interest from energy buyers in the social and environmental attributes of these projects. Throughout the episode, the guests emphasize the need for careful planning and community engagement to ensure the successful integration of solar power and agriculture, presenting agrivoltaics as a potential solution to balance clean energy goals with farmland preservation.Social Media HandlesThe American Farmland TrustEthan WinterAustin Kinzer Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected] Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

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