- New Jersey announces solar-powered pilot program for land usage on active farmlands.
- Initiative Advances Multiple Goals: Agriculture and Renewable Energy
- Program helps push state toward 100 percent clean electricity by 2035
- Farmers also diversified income and clean renewable energy
Recently, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved a new program to allow solar panels to be installed on farmland with no interference to agricultural practice. This is a new program in the state called the Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Pilot Program, aiming to strike a balance that will ensure appropriate clean energy generation and active farming activities while being the first initiative of its kind in the United States.
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According to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, this agrivoltaic program was declared in a commitment of the state to reduce its fossil fuel use and adopt sustainable sources of energy. “In the Garden State, we are pursuing one of the most transformational plans in the nation to move away from fossil fuels, reduce emissions, and deliver a green economy for all New Jerseyans to enjoy,” he said as he focused on the program that will provide energy and agricultural products at the same time.
The Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Pilot approved by NJBPU aims to allow solar panels to coexist with crops by identifying optimal placements and practices for growing crops around and under the panels. NJBPU president Christine Guhl-Sadovy spoke of the potential of the program, saying, “Dual-use agrivoltaics will ensure responsible solar development on farmland and help us provide affordable solar alternatives to more New Jersey residents.”.
Shawn M. LaTourette, Environmental Protection Commissioner, said the dual-use pilot is important because “This program will enable us to study and inform best practices for solar development in agricultural areas so that crops are grown successfully while taking advantage of the extra clean energy.”.
A similar comment was made by New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Wengryn, who pointed out the benefits that farmers locally would reap. According to Wengryn, this initiative provides farmers with more avenues from which to derive money from agriculture while developing sustainable agriculture practices that go with renewable energy.
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In his observation, Wengryn further said that the pilot gives the agricultural world an opportunity to determine techniques and crop options that work best while adding towards clean energy for the state.
With the approval of NJBPU, the New Jersey Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Pilot Program is a progressive approach towards clean energy and agriculture. The initiative offers a sustainable pathway toward New Jersey’s clean energy goals while equipping farmers with a new source of income through the integration of solar panels on farmland.
All data collected in this program will shape the best practices for combining the power of solar with active agriculture, which will bring economic and environmental benefits along the state.
