Solar That Keeps Farms Working
Farmers across Maryland are hearing more and more about solar. But here’s the catch: most “solar farms” require taking cropland out of production, cutting farmers off from their own land. However, at Okovate, that's not what we stand for. Agrivoltaics is different.
It’s solar designed to work with farms, not against them. That means your crops, livestock, and pollinators stay in place while solar panels generate power and deliver a steady new income stream. In other words, your land keeps working the way you want it to, with an added layer of resilience.
What is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics, sometimes called “dual-use solar,” is the practice of combining traditional agriculture, like grazing livestock or growing crops, with solar energy production on the same land.
Instead of solar replacing farming, agrivoltaics lets both thrive side by side. Solar panels are arranged and spaced differently than on traditional utility-scale farms, making room for continued agricultural use.
The farmer keeps control of the land, stays productive, and gains a steady secondary income stream.
How is Agrivoltaics Different from Traditional Solar Farms?
- Traditional solar farms remove land from agricultural use and the farmers who lease land lose access to it for decades.
- Agrivoltaics preserves agriculture. Livestock graze under and around panels, crops grow in between, and pollinators thrive in restored habitats. All while farmers have continued access to their land.
Types of Agrivoltaics
- Grazing
Sheep, cattle, and even poultry can thrive under solar panels. Grazing keeps grass controlled without expensive mowing, while shade protects animals from heat stress and stabalizes pasture growth. - Crops
Shade-tolerant crops, like leafy greens, berries, and various grains, benefit from the solar panels microclimate effect. - Pollinators
Solar fields can double as pollinator habitats, creating nectar-rich meadows that support honey production and crop pollination.
Farming and Solar, Side by Side
Agrivoltaics isn’t about changing the way you farm, it’s about protecting it for future generations. At Okovate, we believe solar should work for farmers, not against them.
If you’re curious about whether agrivoltaics fits your operation, explore our agrivoltaics farmers guide or call us today. Together, we can build a future where farmland stays in farmers’ hands while remaining resilient, productive, and profitable.
