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In Colorado, a marriage of solar energy and farming


Jack’s Solar Garden in Longmont, Colorado is a nationally recognized site for agrivoltaic research. The farm's 3,276 solar panels generate enough electricity to power approximately 300 homes.

At 42, Kominek’s resume includes a smattering of experience — from long distance motorcycle trips through western Africa to work in the Foreign Service and multiple engineering degrees. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and University of Arizona tipped him off to the emerging field of agrivoltaics — a portmanteau of agriculture and photovoltaics, which are more commonly known as solar panels. A series of lucky breaks followed: the farm sat across the street from a transmission line, the utility accepted his bid and the county changed its land use code to allow the project.

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