AgriSolar News Roundup: SETO AgriSolar Funding Announcement, DOE Funding Opportunity for AgriSolar, Hawaiian AgriSolar Research, AgriSolar Legislation in Czechia
SETO Announces Funding Opportunity for Agrivoltaics
“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) announced the Solar with Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits 2 (SolWEB2) funding opportunity, which will award up to $11 million for research and development, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities that improve the compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities with wildlife and facilitate the dual use of land for agricultural and solar energy production.
SETO expects to make three to eight awards under the SolWEB2 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), each ranging from $1 million to $3 million.” – energy.gov
DOE Funding Opportunity Announced for Small Businesses
“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released new funding for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase I program for Fiscal Year 2025. The SBIR/STTR programs are competitive funding opportunities that encourage U.S.-based small businesses to engage in high-risk, innovative research and technology development with the potential for future commercialization. See the Solar Energy Technologies Office’s (SETO) SBIR/STTR funding notice for details on SETO topics.” – govdelivery.com
University of Hawaii Completes Agrivoltaics Research
“The University of Hawaiʻi’s Office of Sustainability and College of Engineering participated in a tour of the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center (HARC) Agrisolar project in November. The event highlighted the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture, offering students a firsthand look at an innovative approach to sustainable land use.
The HARC Agrisolar project, established in collaboration with AES Corporation, Longroad Energy, and Clearway Energy Group, spans a 230-acre solar farm in Mililani. Underneath the panels, researchers have successfully cultivated crops such as lettuce, strawberries, radish and poha berries since the project’s inception in June 2022.” – Hawaii.edu
Czechia Passes Legislation for Agrivoltaics
“Czechia has introduced new legislation for deploying agrivoltaics. The law, effective from the start of this year, builds on initial measures introduced in May 2024.
The newly approved measures permit agrivoltaics to be installed on six crop types, including vineyards, hopyards, orchards, tree nurseries, crops in containers and truffle areas.” – PV Magazine
