Purdue University is spearheading a National Science Foundation–funded initiative to help Midwest rural communities withstand extreme weather by integrating agriculture with solar energy. The Midwest Agrivoltaics for Resilient Communities (MARC) incubator aims to diversify farm income, strengthen energy systems, and reduce risks from hail, heat, and wind.
This interdisciplinary effort unites experts in atmospheric science, energy systems, economics, and social science. Among the leadership team, Dr. Aaron Thompson, Associate Professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Director of the Center for Community and Environmental Design, plays a pivotal role. His research focuses on social-ecological approaches to sustainable landscapes and agricultural conservation. Thompson emphasizes that agrivoltaics can help farmers “balance reliable energy income with the production of food and fiber essential to Indiana’s agricultural economy.”
The project will deliver community engagement strategies, resilience models, and policy frameworks to support agrivoltaics adoption across the Midwest.