SUNRAY for Energy Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
- Committees
- Agriculture Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 24, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to foster the co-location of solar energy generation and agricultural production to enhance sustainability, resilience, and economic opportunities for farmers while protecting soil health through federal research and guidance.
What it actually does
This bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to define, study, and promote agrivoltaic systems, which integrate solar energy production with agricultural activities on the same land. It mandates the establishment of research and demonstration sites, the development of a 5-year plan based on study findings, and the issuance of best practices guidance for solar energy systems on agricultural land. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $15 million annually for five years to fund these initiatives.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill will advance sustainable land use by enabling farmers to generate renewable energy and agricultural products simultaneously, thereby increasing farm income, enhancing agricultural resilience to climate change, and reducing land conversion for solar farms. They emphasize the importance of robust federal research and the development of best practices to ensure these integrated systems are effective, economically viable, and environmentally beneficial across diverse regions.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the bill could lead to inefficient use of agricultural land if agrivoltaic systems are not optimally designed or managed, potentially diverting resources from traditional farming methods or creating new regulatory burdens for farmers and solar developers. Concerns could also be raised about the cost of establishing and maintaining a new network of research sites and the potential for solar infrastructure to negatively impact certain agricultural practices or local ecosystems if not carefully planned.
The bill is relatively short and clearly structured, making it accessible for an informed reader to understand its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 2(a)
Agrivoltaic System Definition and Incorporation
This provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture to incorporate a specific definition of 'agrivoltaic system' into all relevant USDA programs. An agrivoltaic system is defined as one where solar energy production and agricultural production (crops or animals) occur together on the same land throughout the solar project's duration. The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and farm and conservation groups, must also develop a subsequent, more detailed definition for use in various federal agricultural, energy, and tax credit programs, considering regional needs and existing policies.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that a standardized and adaptable definition is crucial for consistent policy implementation, program eligibility, and fostering the growth of legitimate agrivoltaic practices across diverse agricultural landscapes, ensuring federal support is targeted effectively.
Critics contend
Some might argue that a rigid initial definition could limit innovation or exclude beneficial regional variations, while others might be concerned about the administrative burden of developing and integrating new definitions across numerous federal programs, potentially causing delays or inconsistencies.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for a clear, consistent definition to guide federal programs with the flexibility required to accommodate regional differences and evolving technologies in agrivoltaic systems, which can be challenging to achieve simultaneously.
Section 2(b)
Comprehensive Study on Agrivoltaic Systems
This section mandates a comprehensive study by the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, on various aspects of agrivoltaic systems. The study must cover regional compatibility of livestock and crops with different system designs, animal and plant breeding research needs, a risk-benefit analysis, economic scalability, land suitability, development strategies, unique risk management and crop insurance needs, federal procurement opportunities, and appropriate modifications to existing federal programs (conservation, risk management, renewable energy, procurement, tax credits). A 5-year plan and a report to Congress are required based on the study's findings.
Section 2(c)
Agrivoltaic Research and Demonstration Network
This provision directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and in coordination with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Department of Energy (DOE) research programs, to establish and maintain a network of research and demonstration sites. These sites will investigate agrivoltaic systems in diverse agricultural zones (arid, semi-arid, and wet) to enhance agricultural productivity, profitability, resilience, biodiversity, and economic opportunities in rural communities. The Secretary must also collaborate with USDA climate hubs and extension programs to share research findings and translate them into educational and technical assistance materials for agricultural producers.
Section 2(d)
Funding Authorization for Agrivoltaic Programs
This section authorizes an appropriation of $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the activities outlined in Section 2. These activities include the development of a definition for agrivoltaic systems, the comprehensive study on their various aspects, and the establishment and maintenance of the agrivoltaic research and demonstration network.
Section 3
Best Practices Guidance for Solar Energy Land Management
This section requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) and USDA Rural Development, to develop national and regionally relevant guidance on best practices. This guidance is for protecting soil health and productivity during the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of solar energy systems on agricultural land. It must cover soil carbon, water management, vegetation management (including pollinator-friendly plants), and other practices, with specific regional considerations. The guidance must be publicly available on the NRCS website and updated at least every two years, with consultation from various stakeholders.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and farm and conservation groups, to develop a 'subsequent definition' of 'agrivoltaic system' for integration into various federal agricultural, energy, and tax credit programs. This definition must consider regional needs, existing infrastructure, and market access.
Section 2(a)(2)(B)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to allow for detailed regulatory development by expert agencies after a bill's passage, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to evolving conditions and new research. It delegates significant definitional power to ensure the definition remains relevant and practical rather than being locked into a potentially outdated statutory text.
Case for: Supporters argue that allowing agencies to refine the definition ensures it remains relevant, responsive to new research, and tailored to specific program needs and regional variations, rather than being locked into a potentially outdated statutory definition that could hinder effective implementation.
Case against: Critics might contend that delegating such a crucial definition to agencies could lead to a lack of transparency or allow for definitions that deviate from congressional intent, potentially creating uncertainty for stakeholders who depend on clear, stable criteria for program eligibility.
Estimated impact: This provision has a high potential impact as the precise definition will determine eligibility for potentially billions of dollars in federal agricultural conservation, risk management, renewable energy, procurement programs, and investment tax credits, affecting thousands of farmers and solar developers.