Hansen’s Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Use of Agrivoltaics Clears Senate

SB23-092 seeks to expand renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions on Colorado farmland

DENVER, CO – Today, Senator Chris Hansen’s, D-Denver, bill to support the use of agrivoltaics through grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture was approved by the full Senate.

SB23-092, cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, seeks to expand access to agrivoltaics, a cutting edge method to generate energy using solar panels over agricultural land without sacrificing significant agriculture production. The bill will also direct the Department of Agriculture to study greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration opportunities in agriculture. 

“Agrivoltaics are an effective way to increase the productivity of our farmland,” said Hansen. “With some crops, shade from solar panels can actually improve growing conditions, save water and increase output. We are helping to expand renewable energy options and carbon capture techniques that can benefit our farming community and help us reach our climate goals.”

32 million acres of land are used for agriculture in Colorado, nearly half of the state’s surface area. Methods for carbon reduction on farmland studied by the bill include dry digesters, greenhouse gas credits, and sequestration efforts. Additionally, the bill establishes an excise tax exemption on renewable diesel and biodiesel sold in either the pure form or as part of a blend, encouraging the use of these alternative fuel sources.

SB23-092 will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.