Assistant Professor Hongli Feng is a co-PI of an interdisciplinary team of Iowa State University researchers studying the emerging concept of agrivoltaics--using solar power sites for agricultural purposes to make more efficient use of the land and create value for the communities where solar panels are located. Funded by a $1.8 million, four-year grant from the US Department of Energy, most of the research will be conducted a few miles south of Ames on a 1.35 megawatt solar farm. The project will raise bees and plant vegetables, fruits, and pollinator habitat within the 10-acre Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State.

Feng co-leads the socio-econ aspect of the project. Besides co-leading research related to the benefits and costs of agrivoltaics, Feng will also investigate the perceptions and attitudes of different stakeholder groups such as landowners, developers, and the general public as well as the factors that drive those perceptions and attitudes.

Iowa State will hold a ribbon-cutting for the new solar farm on October 19.

Who: Alliant Energy, Iowa State University and more
What: Ribbon cutting for the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University
Learn about this public - private partnership that will identify impacts on energy, horticultural crops and beekeeping production.
When: Thursday, October 19, 10:30 a.m., remarks at 10:45 a.m.
Where: 52166 260th St., Ames, IA

*Please note - this event will be outdoors. No open-toed shoes or heels will be allowed on the property. Please dress accordingly for an outdoor, field event.

RSVP here.