Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), U.S. Department of Energy reposted this
Speaking at the Solar Farm Summit yesterday was a great opportunity to share and learn about the latest in U.S. agrivoltaics. And I was thrilled to announce an upcoming prize opportunity for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and landowners and solar developers to co-locate cattle grazing and solar —the American-Made Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize. With around one-third of U.S. land used for grazing cattle and other large livestock, co-locating photovoltaics and grazing operations could help preserve agricultural land, generate additional income for landowners, farmers, and ranchers, and ease barriers to solar energy deployment, all while helping decarbonize the energy grid. The LASSO Prize will provide more than $8 million in cash prizes to develop innovative co-location practices, build pilot sites, and share information on best practices, costs, energy, and agricultural outcomes. Farmers, ranchers, solar developers, landowners, product designers, extension agents, and researchers are encouraged to follow the prize and begin forming teams ahead of the formal launch expected in September. http://www.herox.com/LASSO
We are looking to be on a team. Jess & I have enough cattle (currently) to easily manage a site up to 100 acres with the ability to expand the herd. I believe it makes sense to approach operators already working livestock on solar to see if they have an interest in integrating other enterprises. We have successfully managed sheep on thousands of acres of solar, are willing to farm on these properties & have already navigated the safety/policy aspects of the practice.
Charlie Gay
1mo
There needs to be a Prize for best acronym!
Halley Miklos
1mo
Super exciting stuff! Excited about the possibilities of this program.
David Miles
1mo
Thank you very much for announcing this exciting opportunity to expand dual land use into the ranching community. Several months ago Solargik started this journey with the introduction of the Verstrak single axis tracker specifically designed for grazing. Our first application was for longhorn cattle! As you can imaging we are well positioned to support those Developers and Ranchers who intend to partner on all aspects of large animal grazing. Get in touch! ([email protected])
JR Howard
1mo
Is this same type funding being offered for other grazing animals?
Joseph Scharf
1mo
Ready, willing, eager to be on a team as someone with Dairy Farming as my first experience beginning around age 5, along with an Engineering and experience. So I can speak "both languages" , plus other endeavors in my background including ESL teaching in China and running a Sole Proprietor Arborist business. Versatility, creativity, resourcefulness, adaptability, thinking "outside the box" , please reach out so I can contribute to your team. Let's Grow Agrivoltaics and in this case Cattle-voltaics !
Ethan Winter
1mo
Thank you Becca Jones-Albertus for sharing this exciting announcement as part of the opening plenary at the 2024 Solar Farm Summit!
Scott Ringlein
1mo
Thanks so much for attending Becca Jones-Albertus and sharing your insights. The announcement of LASSO was very timely as we are working with Michigan State University on this specific topic.
Amanda Stoffels
1mo
Really enjoyed your talk yesterday. Very informative. Looking forward to seeing the outcome of this funding!
Now is the time to start forming your teams in preparation for the LASSO Prize launch this fall! Be sure to follow the challenge for updates on the HeroX site, and you can access teaming resources to discover and connect with potential collaborators at https://www.herox.com/LASSO/resource/1934!