$10 Million Sun And Soil Program Launched

Multi-Year Initiative Supports Continued Research and Engagement with Farmers to Realize Benefits from Co-Located Solar Energy and Working Farmland

September 15, 2026

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced the launch of a new $10 million Sun and Soil Program to help interested farmers and agricultural communities benefit from the integration of solar energy in ways that sustain active farmland, known as agrivoltaics. This multi-year initiative, first introduced in Governor Hochul's 2026 State of the State, provides funding for planning and implementing innovative agrivoltaic projects while supporting applied research and problem-solving efforts to address market barriers and expand economic opportunities for farmers.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, NYSERDA is proud to support expanding opportunities to advance the dual goals of preserving agricultural operations and advancing clean energy projects. We look forward to receiving forward thinking, innovative proposals through this new program, and working with farmers, agricultural communities and solar companies on workable and responsible solutions."

Agriculture is a critically important sector of New York's economy, with over 33,000 farms across approximately 20 percent of the state's land area, or close to 7 million acres. Through ongoing community engagement, including a request for information issued earlier this year to help inform the program, farmers have expressed interest in the potential for solar energy to provide an additional revenue stream. Additionally, the New York State Farmland Protection Working Group, overseen by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), also recommended that New York study co-utilizing land for renewable energy generation and agricultural production with the potential to play an important role in meeting the State's future energy and agricultural development needs.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "We are optimistic about the opportunities that the Sun and Soil Program may present to our farmers, putting into practice a system that will allow a farm business and solar to co-locate without compromising actively farmed land. We look forward to seeing these innovative projects and accompanying research across the State take shape, understanding that the goal of the program is to balance the State's renewable energy agenda alongside our efforts to protect farmland, particularly our prime soils."

NYSERDA's competitive Sun and Soil Program , administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and developed in partnership with AGM, seeks proposals from interested farmers, or solar developers and organizations, for planning and implementing both agrivoltaic projects for on-farm powering and those that deliver a portion or the entirety of solar production to the electrical grid, as well as solar and battery storage for on-farm energy projects. Projects for retrofitting previously constructed solar energy projects for agrivoltaics with or without on-farm powering are also eligible. NYSERDA will also accept proposals that utilize new or adapted agrivoltaic technologies, equipment, or agricultural practices, feature novel configurations or retrofits, bring agrivoltaics to areas where it has not yet been applied, or provide market solutions, guidance, and training.

NYSERDA is accepting proposals through the first and second rounds of the program under four categories:

• Solar and Agriculture Integration - On the Ground Projects
• Addressing Barriers and Challenges - Creating Opportunities
• Building Capacity and Support for Farmers and Communities
• Increasing Access to Opportunities within the Integration of Solar Energy and Agriculture

NYSERDA anticipates awarding multiple projects within each category. Awards are expected to be up to $200,000 for planning proposals and up to $350,000 for implementation proposals. Cost-sharing is encouraged but not required.

Proposals for the first round of funding will be accepted until December 10, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. ET.

Proposals for the second round of funding will be accepted until April 20, 2027, by 3:00 p.m. ET.

Additional information including a complete list of all eligibility rules, evaluation criteria, and future application due dates can be found in the solicitation summary on NYSERDA's website . Additional rounds of funding are expected to be made available in the future.

Senate Energy and Telecommunications Chair Kevin Parker said, "New York is proving that we do not have to choose between protecting our farmland and building a clean energy future, we can do both. The Sun and Soil Program puts farmers at the center of our clean energy transition, creating new economic opportunities while keeping productive farmland in use. While Washington remains mired in gridlock and uncertainty, New York is moving forward investing in our farmers, our communities, and a stronger energy future. This is the kind of innovative leadership that gets results, and New York is showing the country how it's done."

Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey said, "Agrivoltaics gives us hope as we confront serious challenges for the future of our food supply and energy system. Building on our work to support agrivoltaics research, the Sun and Soil program will help farmers co-produce food and clean energy on the same land, helping to keep our family farms in business and protect farmland, while diversifying the grid to lower costs for ratepayers. We encourage farm businesses to submit their proposals and thank Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for recognizing and encouraging this opportunity."

Assembly Agriculture Chair Dona Lupardo said, "It is important that we protect New York's valuable prime farmland, while at the same time providing interested farmers with an additional revenue stream. The Sun and Soil Program is designed to achieve that balance with a well-thought-out approach to preserving farmland while meeting our energy goals. I'd like to thank the Governor, Ag & Markets, and all my colleagues for supporting this innovative approach to addressing the opportunities and challenges involved with agrivoltaics."

Senate Environmental Conservation Chair Peter Harckham said, "At a time when New Yorkers are facing high energy costs and the price of fossil fuels continues to rise, it is more important than ever that we pursue low cost, renewable solar energy. Agrivoltaics offer an innovative solution that addresses two challenges at once: supporting our vital agricultural industry while expanding the supply of affordable, clean energy to meet our growing needs. I commend Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for this timely investment in clean energy and New York farmers."

Assembly Environmental Conservation Chair Deborah Glick said, "As we see climate change increasingly impact farming across the globe, New York's farms will become even more important to the health and well-being of New Yorkers. The new $10 million Sun and Solar Program will help integrate solar energy into agricultural operations, supporting clean energy while ensuring we can continue to feed families across New York and beyond. I applaud Governor Hochul, NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris, and Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball for advancing this important program, which will have a lasting positive impact on our farms, our environment, and our future."

Information and lessons learned from the awarded projects will be shared to help others benefit from the integration of solar energy with active agriculture and understand the opportunities and market potential for scaling agrivoltaics in New York State. This new program builds on the over $7 million awarded by NYSERDA in November 2025 to projects that co-locate solar and agricultural operations in New York State.

Additionally, NYSERDA convenes the New York State Agricultural Technical Working Group (A-TWG), an independent advisory body comprised of farmers and farming stakeholders, solar developers, state agencies and non-governmental organizations, to advise and steer efforts in advancing solar energy development in a responsible way that supports New York State's agricultural operations, lands, farmers and communities.

The 2025 State Energy Plan anticipates that ground mounted solar projects could play an important role in addressing New York's long-term energy needs. Agriculture is a vital component of New York's economy, but many farmers within the State face very narrow profit margins, high levels of risk, and limited access to capital for investments to adjust to changing market conditions. Solar energy can provide reliable on-farm power when paired with battery storage that can be used to offset electricity purchases or be available for backup power during outages.

NYSERDA also conducts policy and analysis-oriented environmental research to provide pertinent information on the impacts and opportunities of clean energy choices and arising energy options. NYSERDA also supports New York State's farmers in managing their energy use through no-cost technical assistance through the Agriculture Energy Audit Program.

Funding for this initiative is provided through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 40 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. The State is also working to disburse the historic $2 billion Sustainable Future Program, which will deliver targeted funding to lower emissions, reduce household energy costs, and spur green job growth.

NYSERDA

Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York's energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov.