skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Judge pauses deadline for federal workers to accept Trump's resignation offer; CA state lawmakers take action to enact safeguards against federal immigration enforcement; Study shows air quality disparities from industrial ag in NC.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Dual-use solar makes best use of renewable energy, farmland

play audio
Play

Tuesday, December 12, 2023   

New York is looking at different ways to make use of where to place solar panels. The practice of dual-use solar uses solar panels in a variety of forms, ranging from shade canopies for cars to a house's awning, but this is becoming a common agrivoltaic practice. Solar panels are being installed on farmland growing crops or home to livestock production.

Kyle Rabin, policy analyst with the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, said agrivoltaics provides opportunities for dual-use solar.

"Agrivoltaics can provide much-needed revenue for New York's farmers and improve the quality of farmland that plays host to solar projects. Even on its own, solar projects can have the benefit of protecting farmland from other more permanent uses of that land," Rabin said.

An Alliance for Clean Energy New York report finds almost 69,000 acres of farmland will be used for dual-use solar by 2030. This will more than double by the time New York is supposed to be using 100% renewable electricity in 2050.

Solar developers can take advantage of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's Renewable Energy Certificate program. This allows solar developers to compete for long-term state contracts, with an incentive to use farmland for solar projects. But, Rabin said the limited incentives pose a challenge.

"For New York State, which is already doing so much to explore this area and facilitate its growth, to have policies that can incentivize both landowners, farmers and solar developers to help ensure a smooth transition to this co-utilization of farmland," he added.

Lawmakers put legislation forward to establish an agrivoltaics viability pilot program. The bill's goal was to protect soil health during construction and decommissioning of solar arrays, use sustainable agricultural production practices, and study commercialization of these projects. However, the bill failed to make it out of committee.

Disclosure: Alliance for Clean Energy New York, Inc. contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, Environment. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Opponents of a South Dakota bill that would require the Ten Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms say it would be an unfunded mandate. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A South Dakota House committee takes up a controversial bill today that would require all school districts in the state to display the Ten Commandment…


play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …


A Lumina Foundation report revealed 712,000, or almost 44% of Marion County adults, have either an associate's or bachelor's degree, or some type of professional certification. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

The rate of U.S. high school seniors seeking higher education is on the upswing, according to research from Lumina Foundation. Although Hoosier …

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Gov. Josh Shapiro's Pennsylvania state budget proposal would strengthen efforts to reintroduce vocational education into Pennsylvania classrooms, with a $5.5 million boost for Career and Technical Education. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Social Issues

play sound

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Consumer advocates in Maine said the availability of enhanced subsidies have helped record numbers of people get the health care coverage they need…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021