U.S. researchers from Colorado University, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Colorado State University, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture have developed a framework showing that wider spacing between solar PV rows can make agrivoltaic systems economically viable for large-scale mechanized farming. Their simulations in Colorado demonstrated that optimized row spacing maintains crop production while improving combined agricultural and energy revenues. The study found that wider-row agrivoltaic solutions can provide economic benefits over traditional utility-scale PV systems, with $200/acre in agricultural profit justifying spacing panels at least 9.662 m apart. The framework defines different PV row-spacing scenarios, determines installed PV capacity, incorporates agricultural equipment constraints, calculates crop revenues, estimates electricity generation and revenue, and calculates metrics such as net present value and levelized cost of energy. The team simulated a 160-acre project in Colorado with different crop scenarios and PPA prices, highlighting the sensitivity of results to equipment size.
Category: Food, Agriculture, Land & Ocean (FALO)
Cut Emissions:
– Curb Growing Demands
– Restore & Manage Ecosystems
– Shift Agriculture Practices
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Research shows conventional solar arrays can support livestock grazing
A new research report by the Federal Association for New Energy Industry (bne) in Germany found that conventional solar parks can support sheep and cattle grazing, as the vegetation under and between PV modules provides adequate feed quality. The study concluded that agricultural use is possible without dedicated agrivoltaic systems, with researchers analyzing vegetation, biomass, and animal behavior in five solar parks across different regions. They found higher species diversity and protein content in plants growing under modules, suggesting that solar parks should be considered agricultural land that can generate electricity while enabling agricultural use.
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Japan establishes national benchmarks for agrivoltaics as sites expand
The Japanese government has set new standards for agrivoltaics in response to reports of reduced crop yields under solar panels. By the end of fiscal 2023, 6,137 agrivoltaic sites covering 1,361.6 hectares of farmland had been approved. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries convened a meeting in May 2025 to define "desirable" installations, tightening rules and requiring developers to submit cultivation plans, financial projections, and evidence that crops can grow beneath panels. Advanced solar-agricultural designs like dual-axis tracking can optimize panel angles seasonally for better crop growth and power production, with companies like Idemitsu Kosan leading commercial agrivoltaic projects.
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Photovoltaics for cattle dung gasification
An international team of researchers has developed a solar PV system that efficiently converts cattle dung into syngas, reducing CO2 emissions and demonstrating a net energy recovery of 40.17%. The system has a payback period of 3.75 years and can generate annual revenue of 98,703 PKR ($352.1) at a processing capacity of 5 kg/day. Gasification at 800 C was found to produce optimal syngas yields and is scalable for larger CAFOs. The study highlights the importance of system utilization, operational factors, and maintenance in determining the overall feasibility of biomass energy systems. Further research will focus on scaling up the system, optimizing syngas yield, and evaluating its performance in different environmental conditions.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/09/photovoltaics-for-cattle-dung-gasification/
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Kelp Restoration Guidebook
This chapter highlights the significance of incorporating social, cultural, and economic factors into kelp restoration projects, stressing the importance of collaboration with communities and partners for successful outcomes. It underscores the need to consider human elements in ecological restoration efforts, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental and societal factors in climate solutions.
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Startup Aims To Help US Farmers With Green H2 & Wind Power
The global green hydrogen industry is facing challenges, but solutions are emerging, such as efforts in the US to replace imported ammonia fertilizer with a domestic product. Startups like TalusAg are developing solar-powered green hydrogen-to-ammonia systems for local deployment, with plans for widespread application in agriculture. Two facilities in Minnesota and northern Iowa will produce green ammonia using electrolyzers powered by Blue Earth Light & Water, benefiting farmers by reducing fertilizer costs and allowing them to participate in overseas carbon markets. The project is supported by organizations like PepsiCo and the Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum, aiming to reduce curtailment, create revenue for rural counties, and strengthen industries while also reducing dependence on foreign supply chains. The initiative is seen as a valuable alternative to natural gas for fertilizer production, providing relief to farmers facing challenges such as rising fertilizer and fuel prices, trade wars, and labor shortages.
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Memphis Schools’ Fight Against Food Waste is a Fight Against Hunger, Too
Efforts to reduce food waste in Memphis schools have shown promising results, with initiatives such as share tables and waste audits leading to a significant decrease in unopened milk waste. Clean Memphis has implemented programs involving students in food waste surveys and lessons, as well as utilizing the Careit digital platform for back-of-house donations. The challenge now lies in scaling the program due to the large geographic area of the school district and limited team capacity. Organizers are hopeful for direct investment from the district to expand the successful initiatives and further reduce food waste in schools.
https://triplepundit.com/2026/clean-memphis-school-lunch-food-waste-hunger/
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Inspiring Victory Against Big Ag and the GMO Giants
Soil carbon loss is a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, with over 100 Gt released annually. Implementing regenerative agriculture practices can help reverse climate change by capturing CO2 in the soil and enhancing soil organic matter. This can be achieved by stopping ecosystem destruction, restoring forests and pastures, and discontinuing synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. The Mexican Senate recently approved a constitutional reform to ban GMOs, prioritizing the protection of biodiversity and food sovereignty. Traditional grains like finger millet and sorghum are proving to be more resilient and sustainable in the face of climate variability. The FAO emphasizes the importance of diversifying staple crops in Southern Africa, particularly transitioning from maize to traditional grains like finger millet and sorghum. The impact of the 2024 El Niño on Zimbabwe and Southern Africa led to severe food insecurity, livestock deaths, and the worst hunger crisis in 4 decades. Mexico has banned the planting of genetically modified corn seeds to protect its native corn varieties. The section discusses the importance of regenerative agriculture and organic farming in addressing climate change, highlighting the efforts of organizations like IFOAM Organics International and Regeneration International in promoting sustainable farming practices. The article also mentions the need for African governments to implement agroecology policies to support smallholder food producers and address environmental issues. Overall, the focus is on empowering farmers and communities to take control of their local food systems for a more sustainable future. Stakeholders in Africa are urging states to prioritize agroecology to support farmers and sustainable food production. Glaciers are losing ice mass rapidly, with regional losses ranging from 2% to 39%. The climate crisis is already impacting smallholder farmers, leading to food insecurity and hunger. Industrial agriculture, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, is unsustainable. Indigenous reserves in the Peruvian Amazon are facing setbacks, putting uncontacted tribes at risk. Supporting monarch populations by planting nectar-rich flowers and milkweed is crucial for their survival. Regeneration International is calling for support to build an international alliance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in soils, regenerate ecosystems, eliminate rural poverty, and revitalize communities. They emphasize the importance of regenerative agriculture in restoring farmer independence, promoting social justice, fair trade, and ecological health. The organization aims to build a global network to promote regenerative agriculture practices that provide abundant food, revitalize economies, restore soil fertility, nurture biodiversity, and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions while sequestering carbon in the soil.
https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=372973
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The Jewish Cemeteries Giving Life to Morocco’s Muslim Communities
The House of Life project in Morocco, facilitated by the High Atlas Foundation, is utilizing Jewish burial sites to establish organic fruit tree and medicinal plant nurseries for Muslim villagers, promoting interfaith bonds and poverty alleviation. Nearly 300,000 tree saplings have been distributed to farming families since 2012, crucial for Morocco's vulnerability to climate change and need for millions of trees to combat deforestation and food insecurity. This initiative benefits both Muslim villagers and Moroccan Jews by restoring deteriorated sites, promoting cultural integration, and supporting livelihood development in the region.
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/morocco-jewish-cemeteries-give-life-to-muslim-farms/
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Half the world’s food never feeds people — In America, it’s far worse
A recent study found that global croplands produce enough calories to feed twice the world's population, but only half of those calories are consumed as food, highlighting the impact of policy and priorities on land use. Researchers suggest producing food on existing farmland while protecting and restoring nature to balance nourishment with planetary health. Shifting excess beef consumption to chicken or plant-based proteins could free up enough calories to feed millions of people, while improving how cropland is allocated can help meet nutritional needs without expanding into natural ecosystems. Targeted shifts in commodity production and country policies could significantly increase food availability from existing croplands, offering a clear opportunity to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity.
https://www.oneearth.org/half-the-worlds-food-never-feeds-people-in-america-its-far-worse/