InSPIRE Publications

The InSPIRE project develops publications, webinars, videos, and other resources about low-impact solar development. This page contains publications and resources developed by the InSPIRE project. Additional resources can be found in the Data Portal.

Environmental Co‐Benefits of Maintaining Native Vegetation With Solar Photovoltaic Infrastructure

Earth’s Future (2023)

We monitored the microclimate, soil moisture, panel temperature, electricity generation and soil properties at a utility‐scale solar facility in Minnesota with different site management practices. We found the compounding effect of photovoltaic arrays and vegetation may homogenize soil moisture distribution and provide greater soil temperature buffer against extreme temperatures. The vegetated solar areas had significantly higher soil moisture, carbon, and other nutrients compared to bare solar areas.

Vegetation Management Cost and Maintenance Implications of Different Ground Covers at Utility-Scale Solar Sites

Sustainability (2023)

We collected data from utility-scale solar PV O&M stakeholders, including site owners/operators, O&M service providers, vegetation maintenance companies, and solar graziers, on costs and activities associated with vegetation management at low-impact, agrivoltaic, and conventional PV sites. We detail the per-activity and total O&M costs for vegetation management at PV sites with different ground covers and management practices, providing the most comprehensive and detailed assessment of PV vegetation O&M costs to date.

Grassland productivity responds unexpectedly to dynamic light and soil water environments induced by photovoltaic arrays

Ecosphere (2022)

Here, we evaluate seasonal patterns of soil moisture (SM) and diurnal variation in incident sunlight (photosynthetic photon flux density [PPFD]) in a single‐axis‐tracking agrivoltaic system established in a formerly managed semiarid C3 grassland in Colorado.

The 5 Cs of Agrivoltaic Success Factors in the United States: Lessons From the InSPIRE Research Study

NREL Technical Report (2022)

This synthesis aims to highlight the technical and non-technical insights from InSPIRE agrivoltaic field research sites from 2015-2021 to support i) appropriate deployment of agrivoltaic projects; ii) more successful research on agrivoltaics; and iii) more effective partnerships on agrivoltaic projects.

ASTRO: Facilitating Advancements in Low-Impact Solar Research, Deployment, and Dissemination

NREL Technical Report (2022)

The Agriculture and Solar Together: Research Opportunities (ASTRO) advisory group members come from across the United States and represent leading solar industry partners, state agencies, vegetation management companies, and other organizations focused on research, food and agriculture, and the environment. The ASTRO group of engaged advisors is a complementary combination of organizations creating positive feedback loops that spark and solidify new connections, accelerate information dissemination, and magnify the impact of the InSPIRE project and associated low-impact solar research initiatives.

Opportunities for agrivoltaic systems to achieve synergistic food-energy-environmental needs and address sustainability goals

Frontiers in sustainable food systems (2022)

The purpose of this paper is to systematically synthesize the potential ecosystem services of agrivoltaics and summarize how these development strategies could address several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Combined land use of solar infrastructure and agriculture for socioeconomic and environmental co-benefits in the tropics

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2021)

Using Indonesia as a model system, we investigated the land use, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, economic feasibility, and the environmental co-benefits associated with off-grid solar PV when combined with high value crop cultivation.

Modeling the ecosystem services of native vegetation management practices at solar energy facilities in the Midwestern United States

Ecosystem Services (2021)

We applied the InVEST modeling framework to investigate the potential response of four ecosystem services (carbon storage, pollinator supply, sediment retention, and water retention) to native grassland habitat restoration at 30 solar facilities across the Midwest United States.

Effects of Revegetation on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Solar Photovoltaic Infrastructure

Frontiers in Environmental Science (2020)

This study quantifies the extent of agriculture in the United States that could benefit from pollinator habitat being planted at existing or planned solar facilities. Over 3,500 km2 (850,000 acres) of agricultural land were identified that could benefit.

Agrivoltaics provide mutual benefits across the food–energy–water nexus in drylands

Nature Sustainability (2019)

This study takes an integrative approach, monitoring microclimatic conditions, PV panel temperature, soil moisture and irrigation water use, plant ecophysiological function and plant biomass production within an Agrivoltaics installation in Arizona to quantify trade-offs. Shading by the PV panels provides multiple additive and synergistic benefits, including reduced plant drought stress, greater food production and reduced PV panel heat stress.

Techno–ecological synergies of solar energy for global sustainability

Nature Sustainability (2019)

This study proposes techno–ecological synergy (TES), a framework for engineering mutually beneficial relationships between technological and ecological systems, as an approach to augment the sustainability of solar energy across a diverse suite of recipient environments, including land, food, water, and built-up systems.

Potential for Agricultural Benefits from Pollinator Habitat at Solar Facilities in the United States

Environmental Science & Technology (2018)