University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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 will bring 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, will engage in constructive dialogue about the current concerns associated with solar farming on Midwestern cropland. Our invited participants will also provide 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.

PUBLIC KEYNOTE: WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13

4-5 p.m. — Check-in and Refreshments

5-5:30 p.m. — Opening Remarks

  • Madhu Khanna, Alvin H. Baum Family Chair & Director, iSEE

5:30-6:30 p.m. — Keynote Address

  • Rebecca Hernandez, Associate Professor of Ecology and Earth System Science, University of California, Davis (invited)

6:30 p.m. — Reception 

The event organizers consist of academics and extension collaborators:

  • 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
  • Process consultant and Facilitator Sarah Fisk, Senior Consultant, Community At Work
THURSDAY, NOV. 14 — DAY 2 AGENDA

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, Facilitator, Community At Work, San Francisco

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
    • 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
  • Group Conversation: 12:45-2:15 p.m.

2:15-2:30 p.m. — Break

2:30-4:30 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: 3-4:30 p.m.

4:30-5 p.m. — Wrap-up and Closing

  • Luis Rodriguez, Associate Director for Education & Outreach, iSEE

Venue

The Critical Conversation public keynote and panel discussions for invitees will be hosted at the Orange & Blue Room of the Illini Center, 200 S. Wacker Drive, 19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606.

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