The 2025 Solar Farm Summit in Chicago brought together farmers, developers, researchers, state officials and industry leaders. Some came as curious explorers, others as passionate advocates, but all shared an interest in how solar and farming can work together. Sunzaun’s team was there to showcase its vertical bifacial solar racking system and join in on conversations shaping the next chapters of solar in agriculture. Helge Biernath, CEO of Sunstall, joined a panel with experts from Sandbox Solar and SolarEdge to share insights on vertical solar technology.
Farmer’s Perspective
While representing its product at the booth, Sunzaun’s team also attended sessions covering topics such as livestock grazing health in the context of solar arrays, the latest developments in agrivoltaics policy and research, and American-made solar. One of the most memorable sessions was The Farmer’s Perspective on Agrivoltaics. Hearing directly from farmers offered an unfiltered look at what’s working, what’s not, and what’s needed to make agrivoltaics viable on real farms, especially for owner-operated or “smallholder” farms.
Key Takeaways:
- Owner-operated farms are shrinking as corporate farming expands. This trend is due to multiple factors, including rising operational costs.
- 80% wouldn’t change production systems for agrivoltaics. Many are still uncertain about its benefits.
- Trust is low. According to an American Farmland Trust survey, the most trusted source of agricultural information for farmers is university-affiliated extension services, followed by farm associations. Solar developers often rank near the bottom of this list.
What Farmers Want from Solar Developers
To make agrivoltaics appealing, farmers with existing solar infrastructure emphasized a few must-haves from solar developers:
- Clear contracts with transparent $/acre return on investment
- Ongoing panel maintenance included
- Freedom to keep farming with minimal disruption
- Solar designs that fit agricultural needs, such as wide row spacing for machinery and to limit shading
Sunzaun’s Commitment to Farmers
Sunzaun believes that owner-operators deserve a strong voice in shaping agrivoltaic projects. When done right, these systems can provide reliable supplemental income while keeping farmland productive. Sunzaun works with farmers, researchers, EPCs, and developers to design solutions that protect farmland while generating clean energy.
Supporting Trusted Voices in Agriculture
To wrap up the week, Sunzaun donated a TV to Michigan State University Extension Services to support their outreach efforts. Since extension services are among the most trusted sources of agricultural information, Sunzaun is proud to assist with the continuation of delivering reliable, accessible knowledge to the farming community.
