Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023

Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study, research, and demonstrations regarding agrivoltaic systems. The bill defines agrivoltaic system as a system under which solar energy production and agricultural production, including crop or animal production, occurs in an integrated manner on the same piece of land through the duration of a project.

Specifically, the bill directs USDA to study agrivoltaic systems, which includes conducting a review of current research and identifying research gaps. USDA must also develop a five-year plan for using USDA's research, extension, outreach, conservation, and renewable energy activities to better support agrivoltaic systems that do not displace agricultural production.

USDA must also develop a definition for agrivoltaic system for the purposes of incorporating these systems into federal agriculture and energy programs, and investment tax credits.

In addition, the Agricultural Research Service must establish and maintain a network of agrivoltaic systems research and demonstration sites in multiple U.S. regions to investigate increasing agricultural productivity and profitability, enhancing agricultural resilience and the capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protecting biodiversity, and increasing economic opportunities in rural communities.

Bill 118 s 1778, also known as the Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of promoting research and development in the field of agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is the practice of co-locating solar panels with agricultural crops, allowing for the dual use of land for both energy production and food cultivation.

The bill seeks to establish a competitive grant program within the Department of Energy to fund research and demonstration projects related to agrivoltaics. These projects would focus on exploring the potential benefits of combining solar energy production with agriculture, such as increased land use efficiency, improved crop yields, and reduced water usage.

Additionally, the bill calls for the creation of a national database to track and analyze the performance of agrivoltaics systems across the country. This database would help researchers and policymakers better understand the economic, environmental, and social impacts of agrivoltaics, and inform future decision-making in this emerging field. Overall, Bill 118 s 1778 aims to support the growth of agrivoltaics as a sustainable and innovative solution for addressing both energy and food production needs in the United States. By investing in research and demonstration projects, the legislation seeks to advance our understanding of the potential benefits of agrivoltaics and pave the way for its widespread adoption in the years to come.