iSEE Critical Conversation 2024 —
Harvesting the Sun:
Integrating Solar with Agriculture
in the Midwest

Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 13-14, 2024

Orange & Blue Room, Illini Center, Chicago

For its sixth Critical Conversation, iSEE brought together diverse stakeholders for a two-day forum to discuss solar farming on cropland, the relevant contentious issues, and the potential solutions to better integrate solar energy with agriculture in the Midwest. Farmers, solar energy developers, academics, financial experts, as well as representatives of environmental groups and government agencies, engaged in constructive dialogue about the current concerns associated with solar farming on Midwestern cropland. Our invited participants also provided their perspectives on the role of agrivoltaics and the necessary policies from a regulatory, legal, and financial perspective to address these concerns for a more harmonized integration of solar and agriculture.

By following the Chatham House rule for conversation, we aim to have an inclusive and engaging discussion to inform future research and initiate a collaborative network that will continue to consider multiple perspectives in developing a research agenda geared toward finding actionable solutions. After the two-day event, we aim to develop a high-profile publication that outlines a collaborative vision for a structured research program and innovative research projects that can deliver regional solutions to this critical issue.

Critical Conversations are supported by a generous gift from the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund, iSEE’s founding benefactor. The Baum Fund is administered by Joel Friedman and Loretta Namovic.

NOV. 13 PUBLIC KEYNOTE

“Solar Development in Rural Areas: Examining the Trade-Offs”

Abstract: Federal policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity generation, including the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, are increasing the pace of growth in large-scale renewable energy capacity. Most solar developments are in rural areas and located on agricultural land. Although the amount of land directly affected by a solar farm is small (relative to the amount of farmland), large-scale, commercial solar development leads to changes in the rural landscape. While there is broad support for increasing renewable energy generation, there are local community concerns regarding the effects of solar development on property values, agricultural land use, and the environment. There are alternatives to large-scale solar development, including small-scale, i.e., rooftop solar and agrivoltaics, but there are trade-offs including potentially higher costs. Local community resistance to solar can delay or prevent development in a particular area, also increasing the costs of deploying solar. This talk discussed the current state of the solar sector, what the research tells us today and what questions remain on how to deploy solar to address climate change while benefiting local communities.

Bio: Karen Maguire is a research agricultural economist in the Conservation and Environment Branch of the Resource and Rural Economics Division of USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). Karen joined ERS in December 2020. Prior to joining ERS, she was an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University in the economics department at the Spears School of Business. One of her main research areas is renewable energy development, solar and wind, and its effects on local economic outcomes in rural communities and the environment. Karen holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She also holds a B.A. in biology from Clark University.

A team of academics and extension collaborators organized this event:

Dennis Bowman, Extension Specialist of Agriculture & Agribusiness, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bruce Branham, Professor of Crop Sciences and Faculty Extension Specialist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ben Campbell, Principal Research Engineer at Energy Resources Center, University of Illinois Chicago
Bryan Endres, Professor of Agriculture & Consumer Economics and Director of the Director of Bock Ag Law/Policy Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Paul Gharzouzi, graduate student in Civil Engineering and iSEE Graduate Educational Research Intern, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Madhu Khanna, ACES Distinguished Professor of Environmental Economics and iSEE Alvin H. Baum Family Chair & Director, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Michelle Marquart, Events and Client Relations Coordinator at iSEE, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Elizabeth Murphy, iSEE Managing Director, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Paul Mwebaze, Research Economist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Luis Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Agricultural & Biological Engineering and iSEE Associate Director for Education & Outreach, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sarah Fisk, Principal Consultant, Leading Collaboration

NOV. 14 AGENDA: WORKSHOP

8:45-9 a.m. — Check-in and Refreshments

9-9:30 a.m. — Welcome and Introduction

Madhu Khanna, Alvin H. Baum Family Chair & Director, iSEE
Germán Bollero, Dean, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sarah Fisk, Principal Consultant, Leading Collaboration

9:30-11:30 a.m. — Session I: Solar Farming: Current Concerns to Agriculture

Focus: Perspectives on solar farming on cropland — How do different stakeholders view the possible opportunities and risks of solar farming on cropland?
Panelists: 9:30-10 a.m.
- Nick de Vries, Chief Technology Officer, Silicon Ranch Corporation
- John Reifsteck, Farmer, Champaign County, Illinois
- Brian Ross, Vice President of Renewable Energy, Great Plains Institute
- Shawn Rumery, Senior Program Director, Solar and Storage Industries Institute
- Eric Rund, Owner/Operator, Rund Farms
Group Conversation: 10-11:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Lunch

12:15-2:15 p.m. — Session II: Agrivoltaics as a Potential Solution for Harmonizing Agriculture and Solar Energy Production

Focus: Perspectives on the technological and economic potential for agrivoltaics as a solution for solar farming – What are the main cost, technological, and management challenges for implementing AV for solar developers and farmers? What are the benefits and opportunities of AV technology?
Panelists: 12:15-12:45 p.m.
- Alan Bailey, Midwest Solar Specialist, American Farmland Trust
- Juliana Isaac, Director of Sustainability & Ecosystem Impact, Sol Systems
- James McCall, Senior Energy and Environment Analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Sarah Moser, Director of Farm Operations & Agrivoltaics, Savion
- Stacie Peterson, Energy Program Director, AgriSolar Clearinghouse
Group Conversation: 12:45-2:15 p.m.

2:15-2:30 p.m. — Break

2:30-4:50 pm – Session III: Regulatory Complexity and Policy Pathways Forward

Focus: Perspectives on the regulatory environment, legal frameworks, and financial incentives for achieving a wider integration of solar energy and agriculture – What could be the design and mix of initiatives, partnerships, and management approaches to achieve a more synergistic integration?
Panelists: 2:30-3 p.m.
- Bill Bodine, Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs, Illinois Farm Bureau
- Colleen Callahan, Founder & Owner, Colleen Callahan Consultancy
- Nick Peterson, Strategic Partnership Manager, Alliant Energy
- Jesse Richardson, Professor of Law, West Virginia University
- Shannon Scarbrough, Sustainability Program Manager, Greenbacker Capital
Group Conversation: 3-4:50 p.m.

4:50-5 p.m. — Wrap-up and Closing

Luis Rodriguez, Associate Director for Education & Outreach, iSEE

Venue