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As the demand for clean, renewable energy continues to grow, so does the need for thoughtful land use. Traditionally, large ground-mounted solar systems have been developed on marginal land and used exclusively for energy generation. But what if that same land could also support agriculture, ecosystems, and local communities? That's where agrivoltaics, also known as dual-use solar, come in.

Agrivoltaics is the practice of co-locating solar energy systems and agricultural activities on the same land. This can include growing crops, raising livestock, or establishing pollinator habitats beneath or between rows of solar panels. Instead of choosing between energy production and agriculture, agrivoltaics allows both to thrive together. This approach is gaining momentum nationwide as researchers, developers, and landowners explore ways to optimize land productively. We've even started to see it right here in the heart of Illinois.

At Halo Solar, we’re proud to bring these concepts to life right here in Bloomington, IL. Our recent agrivoltaics projects with Heartland Community College accomplish just that. For this project, Halo Solar is installing 2,288 solar modules arranged in long-row, ground-mounted racking systems elevated approximately 4–5 feet above the ground. Rather than leaving the land beneath the panels unused, the site plan includes planting native grasses underneath the solar array. These native plantings offer multiple benefits such as supporting pollinators and local wildlife, as well as improving soil health and overall enhancing the overall sustainability and educational value of the site.

This project demonstrates how Illinois organizations, especially educational institutions, municipalities, and businesses, can adopt agrivoltaics to meet clean energy goals without sacrificing acreage.

Illinois is uniquely positioned to benefit from agrivoltaics with both strong agricultural roots and increasing demand for renewable energy. Agrivoltaics systems can be tailored to a wide range of sites, from college campuses and corporate landholdings to rural farmland. Whether the goal is pollinator habitat, grazing, or future crop production, thoughtful system design makes it possible to maintain agricultural value throughout the life of the solar installation.

Sources: Agrivoltaics: Solar and Agriculture Co-Location | Department of Energy

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