Agrivoltaics Align with Green New Deal Goals While Supporting Investment in the US’ Rural Economy

Kyle W. Proctor, Ganti S. Murthy and Chad W. Higgins
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Kyle W. Proctor: Water Resources Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Ganti S. Murthy: Water Resources Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Chad W. Higgins: Water Resources Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Agrivoltaic systems combine solar photovoltaic energy production with agriculture to improve land-use efficiency. We provide an upper-bound reduced-order cost estimate for widespread implementation of Agrivoltaic systems in the United States. We find that 20% of the US’ total electricity generation can be met with Agrivoltaic systems if less than 1% of the annual US budget is invested into rural infrastructure. Simultaneously, Agrivoltaic systems align well with existing Green New Deal goals. Widescale installation of Agrivoltaic systems can lead to a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions reduction equivalent to removing 71,000 cars from the road annually and the creation of over 100,000 jobs in rural communities. Agrivoltaics provide a rare chance for true synergy: more food, more energy, lower water demand, lower carbon emissions, and more prosperous rural communities.

Keywords: Agrivoltaics; agriculture; photovoltaics; Green New Deal; agrophotovoltaics; food-energy-water nexus (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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