From 30 Sheep to 3,000: How Agrivoltaics Is Rewriting the Solar Narrative
At this year's Solar Farm Summit, the conversation wasn't just about megawatts and panel efficiency. It was about community, economic empowerment, and a new vision for America's farmland.
What is the Solar Farm Summit?
Before we dive into our feature interview, what is the Solar Farm Summit? SFS is the premiere U.S. event dedicated to agrivoltaics—the practice of co-locating solar energy and agriculture on the same land. Each year, it brings together farmers, developers, researchers, and community leaders to build the future of dual-use land development. As registered media, GG Marketing was granted full access to cover the innovation and key conversations shaping the industry.
Day 3 at Solar Farm Summit 2025 featured a panel on “Growing the Food Economy: Local Foodshed and Agribusiness Development.” Experts Stacie Peterson (speaking), Dan French, Greg Gunthorp, Bill Jordan, Joel Olsen, Caleb Scott, and Allison Wickham discussed integrating solar with local agriculture. They highlighted how agrivoltaics can boost sustainable food systems and agribusiness growth, showcasing a forward-thinking approach for the future of food and energy.
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The Interview: Beyond the Technical Specs
We sat down with Stacie Peterson, Executive Director of the American Solar Grazing Association (ASCA), to discuss the "how" and "why" of agrivoltaics. What we heard wasn't just a technical briefing—it was a collection of powerful, real-world stories that every solar developer and investor needs to hear.
The Problem: A Flawed Story
The Problem: A Flawed Story For many rural communities, a proposed solar project isn't seen as progress; it's seen as a threat to a way of life and a loss of valuable farmland. Peterson, an environmental engineer by trade, understands this narrative and is actively working to change it.
"Farmers can be part of the solar revolution," Peterson emphasized. Her work shows that solar development and agriculture aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, they can be powerful partners.
The Proof: The Immigrant Farmer and the 40 Acres
The most compelling case for agrivoltaics isn't a spreadsheet; it's a story. Peterson shared a groundbreaking project from Minnesota involving US Solar and Big River Farms, an immigrant farming community.
Instead of simply leasing the land, the solar developer donated a 40-acre parcel to the farming community. Today, those farmers are able to grow their crops between the rows of solar panels, build their business, and generate real profit.
"They're able to build capital to buy their own land, right?" Peterson explained. "This is a really interesting model... It's not this narrative that solar is coming for your farms and that it's goinged to come all across rural America and shut down farmlands."
The Multiplier Effect: Scaling Business and Community
The benefits extend beyond a single farm. Peterson shared another example of a farmer who was grazing 30 sheep. By partnering with a local solar site, he was able to scale his operation without the crippling expense of buying more land.
"He went from 30 sheep to 3,000 sheep," Peterson noted. "He's using that [solar site]... and that's the type of thing that changes minds."
This is the narrative that wins projects. It's not just about clean energy. It's about:
Creating Jobs: Local veterinarians, truck drivers, and fencing companies are all needed to support these new grazing operations.
Scaling Local Business: Farmers can grow their operations and their revenue.
Generating Community Wealth: "That solar company is paying taxes for 25 years," Peterson said. "And that's a phenomenal impact to the local community."
The GG Marketing Takeaway
Stacie Peterson's work with ASCA provides a blueprint for the future of solar development. Success is no longer just about the technical specs; it's about stakeholder communications. The projects that win are the ones that build a true community partnership by demonstrating shared value and tangible local benefits. The question is no longer "Can we build it?" but "How do we tell the story?" Folks can learn more about solar grazing and agrivoltaics at www.solargrazing.org.
Relive Our Full SFS2025 Coverage
This interview was just one part of our multi-day coverage. From the expo floor to exclusive documentary screenings, we captured the energy and innovation of SFS2025. You can relive the journey with our exclusive reels:
[VIDEO] Day 1: The Expo Tour
We're on the ground at McCormick Place exploring the floor! See insights from industry leaders, amazing university exhibits, and exclusive reactions to the "Save the Farmers Save the Future" documentary.
[VIDEO] Day 2: Innovation & Student Showcases
A dive into the North American Agrivoltaics Expo, from student-led case studies (UIUC, Purdue, U of Michigan) to cutting-edge tech and solar-raised lamb from exhibitors like Encore Renewable Energy and SolarGik.
[STATIC POST] Event Recap: 15 Moments That Captured the Future
Still riding the wave of energy! We reflect on the incredible convergence of passion, innovation, and community with some of our favorite moments from an unforgettable event.
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