Agrivoltaics may be the biggest innovation in solar since the invention of the solar tracker. Today on the Clean Power Hour, we dive into the future of solar and farming with Lucy Bullock-Sieger, Vice President of Strategy at Lightstar Renewables. Discover how agrivoltaics is revolutionizing the solar industry and helping rural communities realize that solar and agriculture are compatible.
Lucy leads strategy for current and new markets, policy, government affairs, and marketing at Lightstar. She works closely with advocacy organizations, industry colleagues, legislators, and administration officials across all Lightstar markets to advocate for sustainable and equitable solar program policy.
Lucy is an expert in and advocate for solar and agricultural land use issues and has successfully worked to advance agrivoltaic dual-use policies across the country. For the last ten years she has focused on energy, land use, agriculture and public health policy and she holds a Masters of Public Administration from Northeastern University.
Lucy shares her journey from environmental health research to becoming a champion for clean energy. Learn how Lightstar is leading the charge with 1200 megawatts of solar in their pipeline, including 300 megawatts of cutting-edge agrivoltaics projects.
Explore the challenges faced by solar developers and how agrivoltaics is changing the game. Lucy reveals how this innovative approach is helping to overcome nimbyism, build trust with local communities, and provide new opportunities for farmers.
Get an insider's look at the evolving landscape of solar policy across different states. From Massachusetts' SMART program to Maryland's potential as a petri dish for scaling agrivoltaics, Lucy provides valuable insights into the future of the industry.
Don't miss Lucy's bold prediction for agrivoltaics – she believes it could become the default form of solar development, potentially reaching 50-60% of new projects in the coming years. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and innovative policy solutions.
Social Media Handles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyfbullock/
http://www.lightstar.com/
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00:00 Introduction to Lucy Bullock-Sieger and Lightstar
02:07 Lucy's journey into clean energy
04:55 Understanding agrivoltaics and its benefits
11:13 Lightstar's growth and industry changes
14:19 Massachusetts SMART program and agrivoltaics
18:03 Lightstar's active markets and projects
22:31 Policy developments and industry coalitions
26:05 The future of agrivoltaics: Bold predictions
28:55 Closing remarks and how to connect with Lightstar
