Federal agencies would study farming alongside solar projects

The Agriculture Secretary would use a common definition for solar projects that combine farming and solar power. The system must combine solar power and crop or animal production on the same land throughout the solar project. The definition would be developed with the Energy Secretary and farm and conservation groups. It would consider regional conditions and state and local policies.

The Agriculture Secretary would study farming alongside solar power, make a five-year support plan, and report study results to Congress. The study would examine crops, livestock, regional conditions, farm insurance, markets, and federal programs. The plan would use Agriculture Department research, outreach, conservation, and renewable energy work to support systems that do not displace farming. The bill authorizes $15 million each year from 2027 through 2031, but Congress would still need to provide the money. The Secretary would send the study results to the House and Senate agriculture committees within three years after enactment.

The Agriculture Department would operate regional research sites and publish guidance for managing farmland around solar projects. Research sites would span arid, semi-arid, and wet farming regions; the guidance would cover solar systems on agricultural land. Research sites would study ways to improve farm production and resilience, protect wildlife and plants, and support rural opportunities. The department would share findings through education, outreach, and technical assistance for farmers. The guidance would cover soil, water, and vegetation during solar project siting, construction, operation, and removal. The guidance would be due within one year after enactment and reviewed at least once every two years.