Sol Systems’ Post

We're thrilled to announce an innovative partnership between Sol Systems and the American Farmland Trust to usher in a new era of solar development alongside ecosystem-focused land use practices! Our collaborative efforts will kick off with a 3-year Sponsorship Agreement focusing on 'Smart Solar' initiatives aimed at harmonizing agriculture and renewable energy integration. This partnership underscores our commitment to nurturing the land while harnessing the sun's power. Additionally, our 4-year Research Agreement will explore soil health across 2,000 acres on six solar sites. This groundbreaking research aims to reshape our approach to combining solar energy and agriculture, showcasing the mutual benefits for the environment and energy production. Join us on this innovative journey toward a sustainable future where agriculture meets solar energy's limitless potential. Together, we're laying the groundwork for a greener, more resilient planet. See News: https://bit.ly/3TPiC7Y #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #SolarEnergy #Agriculture #Innovation #Partnership

Research on soil health is pivotal to demonstrating the environmental benefits of #agrivoltaics. One of the prime inputs any farmer needs is healthy soil. American Farmland Trust's new partnership with Sol Systems will create living laboratories to study soil health within solar arrays. Our goal is to help build the case that integrating renewable energy generation and agricultural production at scale can have wide-ranging benefits for farmers, communities, and the environment.

On the back of our previous article highlighting the benefits that renewable energy projects can bring to Landowners (https://lnkd.in/e_3QsE7c), it is great to see some of these in action through one of Innova recent co-located solar and battery projects. #innova #renewableenergy

American Farmland Trust is making strategic investments from coast to coast to ensure that the nation's #solar buildout benefits farmers and ranchers. These include  👇 ☀️ Taking a leadership role in the #UncommonDialogue partnership with Solar Energy Industries Association, The Nature Conservancy, and Stanford University to champion clean energy, thriving farms, farmland protection, and the interests of rural communities. ☀️ Building a national team of experts to tackle complex issues related to solar development, farm viability, and climate-smart agriculture. Austin Kinzer Knowledge Murphy Eric Bronson Garrett Bader and Ethan Winter to name a few. ☀️ Developing a strategy under the leadership of Samantha Levy to leverage the 2023 #FarmBill re-authorization as a key opportunity to advance Smart Solar principles at the federal level. ☀️ Practicing what we preach by working with leaders in solar (like Aggreko and Edelen Renewables) through our Farmers Powering Communities partnership to originate and produce 500 MW of community solar capacity over the next five years. With Smart Solar, the future is bright!

There's no doubt we must scale-up renewable energy sources like #solar for our #climateresilience. But American Farmland Trust knows we need a #smartsolar solution that supports and enhances #agricultureandfarming too. We're not just standing on the sidelines of this conversation either. We're committed to making this a reality. Not just in #california but across the nation. Check it out. #agrivoltaics #climatesolutions #foodsystem

🌞🌾 Embracing sustainable energy requires careful consideration of its impact on farmland. A recent case in Indiana highlights the delicate balance between renewable energy development and agricultural preservation. At Flower Turbines, we understand the value of every square foot. Our innovative wind turbines, designed to utilize our unique "Bouquet Effect," enhance energy output without occupying extensive land. This allows for a harmonious blend of sustainable energy and agricultural productivity, ensuring that our solutions make the most of your space, proving that you can yield more zoom in less room.🌷💨 https://lnkd.in/dmsaxdmZ #SustainableEnergy #Innovation #Agriculture #FlowerTurbines #BouquetEffect

🌬️ Wind Industry Update: A New Era for Agriculture The DOE and USDA have initiated a groundbreaking program aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector by integrating wind energy solutions. This initiative is not just about providing green energy; it's about reshaping the future of farming, making it more sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. Key highlights include: ✅ Support for farmers transitioning to renewable energy. ✅ Efforts to decrease carbon footprints while increasing profitability. ✅ Provision of technical and financial resources to adopt wind technology. ✅ This collaborative effort signifies a major leap towards achieving a balance between agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. Dive deeper into the transformative impact of this initiative on the farming community and the wind industry here. Read more: https://zurl.co/SeD4 #WindEnergy #SustainableFarming #DOE #USDA #RenewableEnergy #IndustryNews

Here’s a fascinating episode of Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting that explores the impact of a large-scale solar project on one rural community in Copake, New York — and what it can tell us about renewable energy projects across the country. In Copake, some residents fear that the solar project will harm the environment and wipe out critical farmland that the community relies on. These concerns are understandable, as many infrastructure and clean energy projects have a history of negatively impacting rural, tribal, and low-income communities. As billions of dollars go into building massive renewable energy projects across the U.S., this story underscores the importance of engaging with local communities to understand their needs and concerns, and ensure they benefit from good jobs and other benefits. As Matt Horton and I recently outlined in Inside Philanthropy (https://lnkd.in/g5CGtsrr), community engagement can help steer the green energy transition toward economic justice and equity. Philanthropy has a key role to play in facilitating these conversations and ensuring that public and private sector actors are held accountable to promised community benefits. With the right support, renewable energy projects can be a net positive for workers, economies, and the environment. https://lnkd.in/giJkWdSB

Agrivoltaics: "not just dual-use, dual-value." Thrilled that Nick de Vries and his team are not only out there just doing it, but sharing what they learn. Solar development can be (and often is) done poorly, but doesn't have to be an either/or any more than your rooftop. It's all just about looking for synergies in harvesting highly abundant sunshine. https://lnkd.in/g54g6yDY

You can tell that agrivoltaics has come a long way, when solar companies are investing in sheep and hiring shepherds. Kudos to Silicon Ranch Corporation for helping to graze a path to a cleaner and sustainable energy and agricultural future. #solar #agrivoltaics #solargrazing #graze #sustainableenergy #sustainableagriculture