Overview of Solar and Farming Resources

The CT Department of Agriculture (DOAG) recommends siting solar on non-farmland, agricultural infrastructure and unclassified farmland soils not currently in production or fallow field(s) that have been previously disturbed prior to siting solar on classified farmland containing prime, statewide, and locally important farmland soils. If the previous options have been exhausted, and due diligence has been done to justify such, DOAG recommends the dual use of farmland, referred to as agrivoltaics.

Agrivoltaics refers to the practice of integrating solar energy generation and farming on the same piece of land. All dual-use applications encompass the construction of solar generating units while using land under and between panels for agricultural purposes such as crops and livestock grazing.

DOAG recommends dual-use systems that maximize crop production and minimize changes to existing vegetation management, while also incorporating solar energy production. Solar installations should be strategically designed, installed, and operated to maintain agricultural productivity and soil quality.