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The Journey of Agrivoltaics

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This blog is part of our series spotlighting leaders in the pursuit and development of Responsible Renewables projects. This series is being hosted in collaboration with Schneider Electric and Korn Ferry. For a background on responsible renewables, we encourage you to start with the introductory blog, which explores the issues and opportunities.

In our latest Responsible Renewables series, we explore Pivot Energy, a leader in renewable energy. Discover how they are pioneering agrivoltaics, integrating agriculture with solar power to create sustainable, dual-use landscapes that benefit both the environment and local communities.

The Journey of Agrivoltaics

Meet Angela Burke

Angela Burke is the Director of Operations and Maintenance at Pivot Energy. Her role is split between managing the technical aspects of Pivot’s solar assets and overseeing dual-use and land stewardship activities. Pivot is committed to a 100% dual-use portfolio, meaning every site integrates secondary agricultural or ecosystem services. Agrivoltaics is Angela's sweet spot, blending her technical expertise with her agricultural roots from rural Michigan.

Stages of Implementation

What are the initial steps for implementing agrivoltaics, and how do they evolve?

Angela Burke: The most accessible and repeatable configuration is animal grazing, particularly with sheep. We have a robust network of solar grazers and resources like the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA). Sheep grazing can be implemented on any site, even those already in operation, though planning from the start is ideal. This practice not only maintains vegetation but also supports local economies by providing additional revenue streams for farmers.

Sheep helping to maintain proper vegetation height under
the panels at a 2MWac project in Kankakee County, Illinois

Community and Economic Benefits

How do local communities and farmers benefit from agrivoltaics?

Angela Burke: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We compensate farmers for grazing on our sites, which helps them expand their operations and stimulates the local economy. This additional revenue circulates through the community, supporting local businesses and creating a ripple effect of economic benefits.

Advancing Dual-Use Practices

Beyond sheep grazing, what other dual-use practices does Pivot Energy implement?

Angela Burke: If sheep grazing isn't feasible, Pivot Energy focuses on habitat enhancement or cropping. Habitat enhancement involves improving soil health and biodiversity, while solar plus cropping integrates farming with minimal changes to the solar array design. This approach ensures that our practices are scalable and economically viable, allowing us to replicate them across multiple sites.

Corporate Engagement

How can corporate buyers get involved in agrivoltaics projects?

Angela Burke: Corporates should inquire about the land stewardship practices of its solar developers. By maintaining typical solar infrastructure economics, we can still compensate farmers for leasing their land and support cropping configurations. This ensures that the products—whether PPAs, renewable energy credits, or community solar subscriptions—remain attractive to corporate buyers.

Future Innovations

Has Pivot Energy explored integrating agrivoltaics with battery storage?

Angela Burke: Yes, we are developing several sites that include PV plus storage. We're committed to maintaining dual-use practices on all our solar arrays, and we're excited to see how battery storage might enhance our agrivoltaics strategies.

Team Collaboration

How does your team ensure effective collaboration with the community, customers, and farm partners?

Angela Burke: Our O&M team is regionally focused, allowing managers to build strong relationships with local vendors and farm partners. This regional approach ensures that we have good oversight and that our farm partners act as an extension of our team, helping with site maintenance and reporting issues.

Learn more about Pivot Energy’s unique approach to distributed energy through community engagement and investment commitments in an interview with Annie Lappé, Vice President of Strategy and Impact.

Highlight Project

Can you tell us about a standout project at Pivot Energy?

Angela Burke: Casey's Solar Garden in Aurora, CO, is a prime example. It's a 45-acre site with sheep grazing, 20 bee colonies, and 100% income-qualified subscribers. This project showcases the best of what Pivot does, combining solar energy with agricultural and community benefits.

Conclusion

Angela Burke's enthusiasm for agrivoltaics and commitment to innovative practices at Pivot Energy highlight the transformative potential of combining agriculture with solar energy. From sheep grazing to habitat enhancement and solar plus cropping, Pivot is at the forefront of sustainable and community-driven renewable energy development. 

Subscribe to our mailing list to join us as we expand on the topic of responsible renewables in a blog series that will feature conversations shaping the future of responsible renewables. Each month, we will publish a new blog spotlighting another important voice working to address responsible renewables, including developers, corporate buyers, community members, and NGOs.