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SUNRAY for Energy Act

USA118th CongressHR-7391| House 
| Updated: 8/30/2024
Eric Sorensen

Eric Sorensen

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (3)
Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Securing and Understanding our National Renewable Agriculture Yields for Energy Act or the SUNRAY for Energy Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study, research, and demonstration regarding agrivoltaic systems. The bill defines agrivoltaic system as a system under which solar energy production and agricultural production, including crop or animal production, occur in an integrated manner on the same piece of land through the duration of a project. Specifically, the bill directs USDA to study agrivoltaic systems, which includes conducting a review of current research and identifying research gaps. USDA must also develop a five-year plan for using USDA's research, extension, outreach, conservation, and renewable energy activities to better support agrivoltaic systems that do not displace agricultural production. USDA must also develop a definition for agrivoltaic system for the purposes of incorporating these systems into federal agriculture and energy programs, and investment tax credits. In addition, the Agricultural Research Service must establish and maintain a network of agrivoltaic systems research and demonstration sites in multiple U.S. regions to investigate increasing agricultural productivity and profitability, enhancing agricultural resilience and the capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protecting biodiversity, and increasing economic opportunities in rural communities. Further, the Natural Resources Conservation Service must develop national and regional guidance on best practices for the protection of soil health and productivity during the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of solar energy systems on agricultural land. The guidance must be updated at least every two years.
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Timeline
Feb 15, 2024
Introduced in House
Feb 15, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Aug 30, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • February 15, 2024
    Introduced in House


  • February 15, 2024
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • August 30, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • S 118-1778: Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023

SUNRAY for Energy Act

USA118th CongressHR-7391| House 
| Updated: 8/30/2024
Securing and Understanding our National Renewable Agriculture Yields for Energy Act or the SUNRAY for Energy Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study, research, and demonstration regarding agrivoltaic systems. The bill defines agrivoltaic system as a system under which solar energy production and agricultural production, including crop or animal production, occur in an integrated manner on the same piece of land through the duration of a project. Specifically, the bill directs USDA to study agrivoltaic systems, which includes conducting a review of current research and identifying research gaps. USDA must also develop a five-year plan for using USDA's research, extension, outreach, conservation, and renewable energy activities to better support agrivoltaic systems that do not displace agricultural production. USDA must also develop a definition for agrivoltaic system for the purposes of incorporating these systems into federal agriculture and energy programs, and investment tax credits. In addition, the Agricultural Research Service must establish and maintain a network of agrivoltaic systems research and demonstration sites in multiple U.S. regions to investigate increasing agricultural productivity and profitability, enhancing agricultural resilience and the capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protecting biodiversity, and increasing economic opportunities in rural communities. Further, the Natural Resources Conservation Service must develop national and regional guidance on best practices for the protection of soil health and productivity during the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of solar energy systems on agricultural land. The guidance must be updated at least every two years.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 15, 2024
Introduced in House
Feb 15, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Aug 30, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • February 15, 2024
    Introduced in House


  • February 15, 2024
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • August 30, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Eric Sorensen

Eric Sorensen

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (3)
Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Jasmine Crockett (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • S 118-1778: Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Act of 2023
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted