For November’s call, we featured a double session highlighting Wisconsin’s growing role as a national agrivoltaics hub, with perspectives from university researchers, utilities, developers, and an active solar grazing operator. We were joined by Josh Arnold (University of Wisconsin), Beau Stafford (Discovery Farms), Josh Armstrong (Madison Gas & Electric), and Nolan Stumpf (OneEnergy).

Why Is Wisconsin Emerging as an Agrivoltaics Hub?
Wisconsin has seen rapid utility-scale solar expansion over the past five years, creating new opportunities for agricultural integration across thousands of acres. The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Badgervoltaics program has built a research-driven, multi-site network in partnership with utilities, developers, and graziers, positioning the state as a leader in dual-use solar design, implementation, and education.

What Does the Badgervoltaics Research Agenda Include?
Current projects span forage trials, wildlife and pollinator monitoring, horticulture demonstrations, and soil and atmospheric research across active solar arrays. Future efforts aim to expand soil health studies, enhance pollinator tracking, test specialized solar-compatible equipment, and strengthen regional collaborations.

How Are Utilities and Developers Enabling Solar Grazing?
Utilities and developers are adopting design and risk management practices that support grazing, including improved wire management, optimized torque tube placement, native seed mix selection, and strategic water and gate infrastructure. Grazing is evaluated for vegetation compatibility, cost competitiveness, liability coverage, and fire risk, while also being recognized for benefits such as reduced herbicide use, improved cable management, and stronger community acceptance during permitting.

How Are Graziers Managing Multi-Site Operations?
Operational strategies include rotational grazing, virtual fencing technology, integrated mowing backup, and coordinated herbicide timing. Virtual fencing systems allow for rapid paddock moves, real-time herd monitoring, and heat mapping of grazing pressure, increasing labor efficiency while maintaining vegetation performance across multiple sites.

What Challenges and Benefits Shape Long-Term Success?
Weather variability, water access, winter housing, connectivity for virtual fencing, and rapid scale-up all require careful planning and adaptive management. Despite these challenges, solar grazing offers cost-competitive vegetation control, reduced chemical inputs, long-term land access for farmers, diversified income streams, and valuable research partnerships — demonstrating how collaboration between utilities, developers, researchers, and graziers can drive innovation and durable success in dual-use solar systems.