MINNESOTA. (7/27/2026) —Across the country, extensive research is underway to keep agricultural land in production while developing it for solar energy. These dual-use “agrivoltaic” systems involve studying everything from panel-created microclimates and soil health protection to capital investments and livestock and crop performance under solar arrays.

To highlight current findings, University of Minnesota Extension will host the August session of its Agrivoltaics webinar series, “Dual Yield: Agrivoltaics Research Insights,” on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at 7 p.m. CT.

The session features leading experts in agrivoltaics research:

• Jordan Macknick, lead Energy-Water-Land analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), whose work focuses on the environmental impacts of energy technologies and innovative approaches to co-locating solar and agricultural activities.
• Dr. Brad Heins, Professor of Dairy Management at the University of Minnesota, whose research program has pioneered the use of renewable energy for dairy production, including solar sites in pastures and portable solar shades.

Macknick and Heins will share their research to date on dual-use land systems and discuss their vision for the future of agrivoltaics.

This free webinar is designed for farmers, solar developers, landowners, government officials, and agricultural professionals interested in dual-use land management. Whether you are a rancher looking to diversify income or a developer aiming to integrate agricultural production, this session will offer practical, evidence-based insights.

Pre- registration is required to access the zoom link. Free to attend. Date: August 25th, 7pm CT

Register: z.umn.edu/avresearchwebinar

View past agrivoltaics webinars: z.umn.edu/avwebinarsplaylist

For more news from U of M Extension, visit www.extension.umn.edu/news or contact Extension Communications at extnews@umn.edu. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.