By Morgan Lawrence, USDA Northwest Climate Hub

Crops can be grown beneath solar panels to reduce their exposure to the sun and protect from extreme heat. Photo: Oregon State University NEWAg Lab
Climate change has caused unprecedented warming, varying precipitation patterns, and higher risks of drought and wildfires across the Northwest. These impacts threaten agriculture, natural resources, and human health in the region. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy can reduce carbon emissions and slow the effects of climate change. However, renewable energy often requires large tracts of land—a requirement that can conflict with agricultural land requirements. Agrivoltaics could present a solution. Continue reading