Combining Energy and Agriculture with Agrivoltaics
At Assemblage, we design layered habitats for interconnected and productive ecosystems. So, why would energy landscapes be designed any differently? If our cities and gardens are multifunctional and resilient, our renewable energy systems should be, too.
Agrivoltaics embodies this design approach. Through the land management practice of co-locating agricultural production with solar panels, these sunny sites are perfect for food production and solar capture. Panel spacing, tilt, and height can be designed to accommodate crops, grazing livestock, and native plant communities, allowing energy and agriculture to operate as harmonious systems rather than competing land uses. Shadows from the panels offer heat abatement to livestock that graze on the land and can reduce the amount of water required for crops.
Beyond productivity gains, agrivoltaic landscapes support biodiversity and long-term land stewardship. By designing creatively, our energy infrastructure can become a place where energy captures, ecosystem uplift, and food production can coexist.