Stedman studies the social science dynamics of energy transformations, and has conducted surveys and focus groups with farmers and other landowners. One recently completed survey of New York state landowners living near transmission lines and electricity substations found that farmers were more opposed than non-farmers to large-scale solar development in their area, and that farmers were more likely than non-farmers to be approached by solar developers but less likely to lease their land.
The research also found that among farmers who have leased their land, about half expect to continue producing agricultural products on the land with solar panels – a process called agrivoltaics, which has seen a great leap in Cornell research activity.
In 2024, with $1 million in initial support from New York state, CALS established the Agrivoltaics Research Program to bring together dozens of researchers across campus and external partners to explore the engineering, agronomics, economics, policy and social science of agrivoltaics.
“So there certainly is interest in this idea of agrivoltaics, but people want a lot more information about what that would actually mean for their farms,” Stedman said. “Because agricultural land is so ‘in the crosshairs’ with utility-scale solar, it’s very important that we figure out how to avoid prime farmland and how to work with farmers in a way that honors what they actually do and want to do.”
An equally important factor, according to Max Zhang, the Irving Porter Church Professor of Engineering in Cornell Engineering and Provost’s Fellow for Public Engagement: What will it cost energy consumers?
“The cost-effectiveness of agrivoltaics systems is crucial to market adoption and the overall energy transition,” said Zhang, whose team conducted the New York state land-use analysis. “As solar becomes a major source of electricity generation in the near future, we must ensure electricity remains affordable for the public.”
Source : cornell.edu