WBUR Here & Now
WVUR Here & NowSCAPES Researchers Featured in National WBUR Here & Now Segment on Agrivoltaics
Researchers and collaborators affiliated with the SCAPES project (Designing Agrivoltaics for Sustainably Intensifying Food and Energy Production) were recently featured in a national segment from WBUR’s Here & Now, highlighting the growing momentum behind agrivoltaics research and implementation across the United States.
The segment explores how agrivoltaic systems — which combine solar energy generation with agricultural production on the same land — are emerging as a promising strategy for addressing renewable energy goals while supporting productive farmland, rural economies, and long-term agricultural resilience.
The story features insights from SCAPES collaborators Paul Mwebaze and Tim Mies, who discussed ongoing research efforts and the opportunities agrivoltaics may provide for Midwestern agricultural systems.
Paul Mwebaze, Research Scientist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, emphasized the importance of understanding how agrivoltaic systems can balance energy development with agricultural productivity and community priorities. Tim Mies, Director of the University of Illinois Energy Farm, highlighted the role of field-scale research and demonstration projects in advancing practical agrivoltaic solutions for farmers, researchers, and industry partners.
The national coverage reflects increasing interest in agrivoltaics as researchers, producers, utilities, and policymakers work to explore innovative approaches to sustainable land use and renewable energy deployment.
Led by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and collaborating institutions, the SCAPES project continues to advance interdisciplinary research examining how agrivoltaic systems can support food production, clean energy generation, ecosystem services, and rural community resilience.