Sec. 602. Agrivoltaic systems
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In this section, the term agrivoltaic system means a system under which solar energy production and agricultural production, including crop or animal production or apiculture, occurs in an integrated manner on the same piece of land. The Secretary shall conduct a study on agrivoltaic systems that shall include— an assessment of the compatibility of different species of livestock with different agrivoltaic system designs, including— the optimal height of and distance between solar panels for— livestock grazing; and shade for livestock; manure management considerations; fencing requirements; and other animal handling considerations; an assessment of animal breeding research needs with respect to beneficial and compatible characteristics and behaviors of different species of grazing animals in agrivoltaic systems; an assessment of the compatibility of different crop types with different agrivoltaic system designs, including— the optimal height of and distance between solar panels for— plant shading; and farm equipment use; the impact on crop yield; and market opportunities to sell crops at a premium price; an assessment of plant breeding research needs with respect to beneficial and compatible characteristics of different crops, including specialty and perennial crops, in agrivoltaic systems; a risk-benefit analysis of agrivoltaic systems in different regions of the United States, including a comparison between the total greenhouse gas impact of agrivoltaic systems and solar energy systems that displace agricultural production; an assessment of the types of agricultural land best suited and worst suited for agrivoltaic systems; an assessment of how to best develop agrivoltaic systems on a national and local scale consistent with— maintaining or increasing agricultural production; increasing agricultural resilience; retaining prime farmland; increasing economic opportunities in farming and rural communities; reducing nonfarmer ownership of farmland; and enhancing biodiversity; an assessment of the unique risk management and crop insurance needs of agrivoltaic systems; an assessment of how Federal procurement of agricultural products could help build a market for agricultural products from farms with agrivoltaic systems; and an assessment of how Federal agricultural conservation programs, renewable energy programs, and investment tax credits can better support agrivoltaic systems.
Based on the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall develop a 5-year plan for using the research, extension, outreach, conservation, and renewable energy activities of the Department of Agriculture to better support agrivoltaic systems that do not displace agricultural production. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service and in coordination with the relevant research programs of the Department of Energy, shall establish and maintain a network of research and demonstration sites operated by the Agricultural Research Service to investigate and demonstrate agrivoltaic systems in multiple regions of the United States, including arid, semi-arid, and wet agricultural zones, that— increase agricultural productivity and profitability; enhance agricultural resilience and the capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change; protect biodiversity; and increase economic opportunities in farming and rural communities.
In establishing and maintaining the network described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall collaborate with USDA Climate Hubs to share research findings and translate research findings into educational, outreach, and technical assistance materials for agricultural producers. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter.