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HR10605119th CongressWALLET

SUNRAY for Energy Act

Sponsored By: Representative Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]

Introduced

Summary

Integrate agrivoltaic systems across federal agriculture programs. This bill would require a harmonized federal definition of agrivoltaic systems and coordinate research, demonstration sites, and national guidance to help farms combine solar with crop or livestock production.

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  • Farmers and ranchers would get a single federal definition so agrivoltaic projects can be considered in conservation programs, crop insurance, renewable energy programs, procurement, and investment tax credits.
  • USDA would conduct a wide study on crop and livestock compatibility, breeding needs, land suitability, economics, greenhouse gas tradeoffs, and insurance issues, create a 5-year plan to support non-displacing agrivoltaics, and set up ARS research and demonstration sites across multiple regions with a report to Congress within 3 years.
  • The Natural Resources Conservation Service would publish national and regional best-practice guidance within 1 year on soil health, water and vegetation management including pollinator-supporting plants, and update that guidance at least every 2 years with stakeholder input.

*Would authorize appropriations of $15 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, totaling $75 million, which would increase federal outlays if appropriated.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Official agrivoltaic definition for farms

If enacted, this bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to adopt an initial statutory definition of “agrivoltaic system” meaning solar energy and agricultural production occur together on the same land for the life of a solar project. The Secretary would then make a refined definition with the Department of Energy and farm and conservation groups. That refined definition would be applied across Federal conservation programs, crop insurance and other risk-management programs, renewable energy programs, Federal agricultural procurement, and investment tax credit rules. Farmers and project developers would get clearer rules about which programs and tax incentives apply to agrivoltaic systems.

Soil guidance for solar on farms

If enacted, this bill would require the Natural Resources Conservation Service, working with DOE and USDA Rural Development, to publish best-practice guidance within 1 year on protecting soil health and productivity when siting, building, operating, and decommissioning solar on agricultural land. The guidance would cover soil carbon, water management, and vegetation management including plants for pollinators. It would be posted on the NRCS website, developed with stakeholders, and updated at least once every 2 years.

USDA agrivoltaic research network

If enacted, this bill would require USDA, with DOE, to establish and run a network of Agricultural Research Service research and demonstration sites across U.S. regions to study agrivoltaic systems. The study would cover livestock and crop compatibility, breeding needs, greenhouse-gas and economic trade-offs, land suitability, and crop insurance and procurement implications. USDA would produce a 5-year plan based on the study and report the study results to Congressional agriculture committees within 3 years of enactment. The bill would authorize $15,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out these activities.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]

IL • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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