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🚨 Maryland's Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) regulations update Definitions for agricultural and manufacturing buildings have been refined for clarity. Agricultural buildings now explicitly include structures used for livestock, while manufacturing buildings involve substantial transformation processes. 🔎The Maryland Department of the Environment is hosting public outreach sessions in August 2024 and a public hearing in October 2024 to gather feedback and discuss the implications of these regulations. Let us help you – the MD Energy Advisors team supports benchmarking and BEPS initiatives…we have Advisors in our company name for a reason and we take it to heart. 📌Click here to see how we can help: https://bit.ly/46IGY6t. 🌍 Stay informed and engaged as we work towards a more sustainable future for Maryland! ✨ #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #MarylandBEPS #CleanEnergy #MDEnergyAdvisors #MDEA #Maryland 

Solar Energy and Innovative Agriculture This week, Ben Wilson of the Energy Right team had the opportunity to participate in a multi-disciplinary workshop and conference focused agrivoltaics: the dual use of agriculture and solar energy generation facilities. Hosted at Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus, this event brought community members of all types, ranging from nonprofit organizations from Central Appalachia to Planning Commissioners from Central Virginia, to researchers from the Virginia coast. The workshop provided an opportunity for discussions regarding the future of agriculture and solar development. The message of this conference is clear: it takes a village to grow a place for solar energy within a community, and the more in support of it—government officials, community members, farmers, industry representatives, academics, and so on—the stronger and healthier that plan can be. If we continue to innovate in this space, we can continue to realize these benefits and generate even more for the future. Ben notes, “In our work across the commonwealth, we routinely hear concerns regarding the use of agricultural land for the development of solar. This workshop gave people from all different perspectives the opportunity to discuss ways to address this concern in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Continue the conversation with us here: https://bit.ly/4dmCJlj

GREAT FRIDAY VIDEO: Rutgers: Cows and a new innovation in #solarenergy - Thousands of people driving along Route 1 in New Brunswick, NJ will be enjoying a different, unique view -- cows grazing alongside solar panels. It’s part of a more than $7.4 million state-of-the-art agrivoltaics program, funded through the state and federal agencies, which focuses on combining agriculture and solar power generation simultaneously on the same land. #Agrivoltaics is the next frontier of the clean energy transition! Rutgers and other New Jersey stakeholders have been hard at work leading the agrivoltaics industry towards further research and commercial deployment that will benefit farmers, local food production, and clean energy goals simultaneously. On Thursday, October 10th, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will provide an update on the dual-use pilot program rules. #Lightstar is anxious to see this program opened and for the benefits of agrivoltaics to be accessed more widely in the #GardenState. https://hubs.la/Q02S9ghF0 #AgPV #solarforall #solargrazing

Expansion of Large-Scale Solar Power Generation on Farmland Is Underway

Long-Term Success Powered by Solar: Meet Dwight Dial, an Iowa farmer whose solar energy system is helping ensure year-to-year profitability on his farm. By bringing his energy home, Dwight is building a legacy of stability for future generations - just like large-scale projects provide for whole communities. Thank you to the Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association for sharing this story of how solar strengthens the financial future of Iowa farmers! Watch the video to see how solar is shaping the future of farming.

Great article and a good primer on agrivoltaics! A common sense bridge between the need for clean energy and the smart use of rural farmland. Further, since the business case works in WI, it could work almost anywhere else.

Shawn Rumery, Senior Program Director at SI2, recently joined US Solar's Peter Schmitt at #REPlusMW to share results from SI2's survey on agrivoltaics- the combination of agriculture and solar energy- and highlight active projects. The survey shows 70% of farmers are conditionally open to large-scale solar on farmland, and that 3/4 of developers see farmland solar constituting a large share of their future business. Agrivoltaics is a key strategy in meeting the needs of farmers, communities and developers, but barriers remain. SI2 is working collaboratively with developers, farmers, utilities and other stakeholders to identify solutions that enable further deployment of agrivoltaic projects. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e5tgJq_v

I think that this is interesting and the word agrivoltaics is one that I've been hearing of more and more; especially with flexible solar cells (like those from Ascent Solar and Shannon OReilly). Projects like the one below detailed by Jake Bolster signify the joining of ag, power, decarburization, steel, poser grid, batteries, control panels, water management in arid climates, and tax incentives. It's a complex, but winning Venn diagram. I can only imagine that as more DOE pilot projects take shape and costs come down, opportunity will grow. I see this focusing on high value ag first in a way that allows for duel use of land. I would imagine that this will spur secondary business models as well as installation and expertise will need to follow 'the sun'. #solarenergy #agriculture #agrivoltaics https://lnkd.in/dvV8PPRK

🌱🔆 The Future of Agrivoltaics in the Mid-Atlantic: A Bright Horizon!🔆🌱 As the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. looks towards a sustainable future, agrivoltaics— the integration of solar panels with agricultural activities—is emerging as a key player. This innovative approach not only enhances renewable energy production but also supports agricultural resilience and productivity. Maryland: Leading the Way with Policies and Innovation Maryland is making significant strides in promoting agrivoltaics through supportive policies and innovative projects. The Maryland Energy Administration has been actively providing grants and incentives to encourage solar installations on farmland . These initiatives help farmers generate additional income while maintaining agricultural productivity. West Virginia: Embracing Renewable Opportunities West Virginia, historically a coal-dependent state, is now exploring the vast potential of solar energy. Agrivoltaic projects are gaining traction, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources. The West Virginia University Extension Service is actively researching the benefits of agrivoltaics, emphasizing its role in revitalizing rural economies and supporting sustainable agriculture . Virginia: Advancing Through Research and Collaboration Virginia is at the forefront of agrivoltaics research and implementation, thanks to collaborative efforts between universities, government agencies, and private companies. The University of Virginia’s Center for Innovation in Construction Safety and the Virginia Clean Energy Advisory Board are spearheading projects that combine solar energy with farming, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable land use . Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Mid-Atlantic The future of agrivoltaics in the Mid-Atlantic is promising, with potential to significantly contribute to the region’s renewable energy goals and agricultural sustainability. By leveraging state policies, research advancements, and strategic partnerships, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia are setting the stage for a greener, more resilient future. Sources: 1. Maryland Energy Administration - Solar Programs https://lnkd.in/eBX7cyep 2. West Virginia University Extension Service - Renewable Energy Research]https://lnkd.in/ex4u_hKk 3. University of Virginia - Center for Innovation in Construction Safety https://cics.virginia.edu/ Let’s continue to support and innovate in agrivoltaics for a brighter, sustainable future in the Mid-Atlantic! 🌱🔆 #Agrivoltaics #RenewableEnergy #SustainableAgriculture #MidAtlantic #Maryland #WestVirginia #Virginia #Sustainability #ClimateAction #GreenEnergy #Innovation #ASGA

🌻Agrivoltaics for a sustainable future! Follow Ryan Kmetz geospatial wiz and sustainability expert for updates on this promising field! #photovoltaics #sustainability #farming