Agrivoltaics: Farming Food and Energy Together

Agrivoltaics pioneer Rose Olivas (Pitzer College + CalPoly Pomona) is bringing an innovative approach to sustainable farming in SoCal, helping produce agricultural and solar energy on the same land. Learn more about this technology and mingle with fellow innovators over food and drinks following this engaging talk. Co-sponsored by Innovate Claremont.

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From being conceptualized in 1981, to adoption by Japan in 2004, and a gateway of research in France in 2013, Agrivoltaics, has become recognized and utilized globally. However, this dual-use system of producing both agricultural and solar energy at the same time and on the same land space hasn’t quite hit the sunshine state, California. Operations in other countries and in other United States’ regions have demonstrated that growing agriculture (animals, crops, nurseries, or a combination) under the shade of panels has increased the soil health, water retention and conservation, extended crop season, and created a safer environment for farm workers, all while generating and using free solar power. This system joins more than solar energy and agriculture industries. This is a niche which can also create jobs for electricians, construction, and engineering. So, where is California with the adoption of Agrivoltaics, and how can it move forward to reap the benefits?

Rose Cesena Olivas is a native Bay Area resident and SoCal transplant since 1992. She carries a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and chemistry and worked in medical research at the benchtop level and laboratory management and training at UCSD, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, and USC, working in the fields of Diabetic Neuropathy, Multiple Sclerosis, and neonatal gastroenterology. She transitioned to medical/biologics sales, mostly in the space of pediatric vaccines and then colon cancer screening. She received her master’s in agriculture in 2022, studying healthy soils, fecal coliforms, and animal-sourced soil amendments. She served both Riverside and San Bernardino counties as a Community Lead Specialist for the UC system’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Division in the Small-Scale Farms program. She now leads the first research study in agrivoltaics in Southern California, in collaboration with Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Agriculture, as well as a statewide monthly discussion on agrivoltaics with folks from all backgrounds interested in this dual-use land system for agriculture and solar production.