The U.S. needs policies and programs at the federal level in support of AgPV that will ensure farmland preservation and agricultural production that supports farm income while deploying clean energy generation. There is a significant opportunity to advocate for the enactment of federal policies that accelerate the clean energy transition while safeguarding productive farmland, enhancing farm income, and increasing energy resilience and independence.

In 2024 SAFA is pushing for a federal definition of AgPV in order to unlock funding and smooth the permitting pathway for projects on a federal and local level. We are laying the groundwork for an AgPV tax incentive, will respond to state level policy needs, and act as a trusted representative of the AgPV industry.

  • Agrivoltaics is scaling

    Our aim is for every solar developer to have some form of AgPV as part of their diversified portfolios, along with rooftops, brownfields, carports, floating, and beyond.

  • Agrivoltaics will be federally defined and recognized

    There is currently no official USDA technical guidance for AgPV as it is considered an industrial use. A federal definition will allow for USDA to put forward technical guidance, which is important for developers and farmers alike. Developers need low-cost technical guidance in order to design projects properly for long-term crop flexibility and farmers need the ability to consult with extension agents and USDA technical assistance offices regarding AgPV specific questions. With farmers being able to seek technical assistance and being eligible for USDA grants supporting their agricultural operation, then developers may be able to reduce the cost of agrivoltaics asset management in their model.

  • Farmers will receive full USDA and NRCS support, retaining eligibility for all programs, including FSA loan qualification

    We seek to increase funding from federal programs, whether that is directly to the developer or allowing farmers to be paid for farming agrivoltaics sites. Our aim is to allow for eligibility under both current and future programs. This means that a baseline federal definition of agrivoltaics is needed. Being eligible for conservation plans and technical assistance at the USDA means projects may use these plans and guidance as a compliance mechanism for permitting. These plans are valid for 5 years and can be an ongoing, easily administered mechanism to prove out the viability of agrivoltaics plans within arrays – which is a key permitting challenge for newer agrivoltaics developers.

  • AgPV projects will be allocated a bonus investment tax credit or given priority in existing tax credits

    Founding members have been working for 18 months to craft language that would allow eligibility for any future ITC bonus credits. This does not create a tax credit but is forward looking and establishes a baseline to allow future AgPV projects to capture bonus credits. There is bi-partisan consensus in the Senate on the need for an AgPV bonus credit. The level is yet to be set, but that will be the crux of the work for SAFA from 2024-2026.

  • Advocacy for agrivoltaic policy on a regional, state, and local level

    Federal statute dictates that when solar is installed on farmland, no matter if farming is still taking place, it is converted to industrial use, therefore making the farmland ineligible for certain funding and assistance. The definition as contemplated in the Baldwin-Grassley Protecting Future Farmland Act of 2023, would consider AgPV agricultural production and could provide a smoother permitting path. This definition could also be a strong basis for farmland tax assessment in every state without state level legislation needed.

Support SAFA’s work by becoming a member! Learn more here.