A new study from Washington State University (WSU) highlights the significant potential for agrivoltaics to contribute to Washington’s clean energy goals. The research suggests that combining solar power generation with farming could produce up to 17.4 GW of electricity on agricultural land. This dual-use approach, particularly suitable for orchards and berry farms in central and eastern Washington, could help the state meet its renewable energy targets without sacrificing valuable land used for food production. A pilot project is now being planned to test the real-world application of these findings.
According to a state-funded report by Washington State University, a conservative estimate places the potential solar energy generation between 8.7 and 17.4 GW on 87,000 acres (about 35,210 hectares) of farmland located within 1.6 kilometers (one mile) of an electrical substation. Researchers believe this dual-use of land for farming and solar energy could be instrumental in helping Washington achieve its mandated goal of generating 20 GW of solar power without converting productive agricultural areas into dedicated solar farms.
The study outlines even greater theoretical potential. Researchers identified over 204,000 acres (about 82,550 hectares) hypothetically suitable for agrivoltaics, which could yield 20.5 to 41.0 GW of power. A more ambitious scenario, considering land within 1.6 kilometers of transmission lines instead of just substations, expands this to over 350,000 acres (about 141,640 hectares), with a potential capacity of 35 to 70 GW.
The WSU report, which involved reviewing existing literature, mapping land, and surveying farmers, found that perennial fruiting crops like apples and berries are especially well-suited for agrivoltaic integration. Orchards in central and eastern Washington account for nearly half of the identified acreage. The study’s authors suggest that integrating solar panels can enhance farm productivity by offering shade that cools crops and livestock. This can also bolster rural economies by reducing irrigation expenses and potentially eliminating the need for structures like trellises or temporary shade cloths. Dairy farms were also noted as potential beneficiaries of this approach.
To build on these findings, WSU is developing a pilot project at its Sunrise Research Orchard near Wenatchee to demonstrate the real-world feasibility of the concept. Max Lambert, the report’s lead author, emphasized the importance of such a demonstration, stating that while scientific data is promising, farmers trust tangible results. He explained that “actually seeing it happen on the ground would be that enabling condition to get them going.” While the report acknowledges that significant obstacles such as high upfront costs remain, its authors express “cautious optimism” about the future of agrivoltaics in the state.