While solar installations are not the primary drivers of land-use change in rural areas—low-density development has far outpaced solar utility land use—they have nonetheless attracted significant attention due to their visual prominence on agricultural land, leading to policy. While solar installations are not the primary drivers of land-use change in rural areas—low-density development has far outpaced solar utility land use—they have nonetheless attracted significant attention due to their visual prominence on agricultural land, leading to policy. Across the country, solar farms have experienced rapid growth, supported by advancements in technology, cost reductions, and policy initiatives such as state-level renewable portfolio standards and tax credits. As shown in Map 1, roughly 18% of ground-mounted PV facilities in the U. were. Agrivoltaics pairs solar with agriculture, creating energy and providing space for crops, grazing, and native habitats under and between panels. NLR studies economic and ecological tradeoffs of agrivoltaic systems. To meet renewable energy goals by installing large-scale solar operations. In early 2024, the U. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U. Department of Energy (DOE) held American Farms, Rural Benefits virtual listening sessions to better understand the impact of renewable energy development on farmers and rural communities. These ambitious goals have accelerated the pace of the country's energy transit on, with the traditional fossil fuel-based energ rms have become top priorities for the present and for the future ener ustainable. Our programs, authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014, offer funding to complete energy audits, provide renewable energy development assistance, make energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems.