A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the SUNRAY for Energy Act, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study and research agrivoltaic systems, which combine solar energy and agricultural production on the same land. It directs the Department of Agriculture to incorporate a formal definition of agrivoltaic systems into various federal programs, including conservation, risk management, and tax credits. The legislation mandates a comprehensive study on the regional compatibility of livestock and crops with solar panel designs, followed by a 5-year plan and a report to Congress. Additionally, it establishes a network of research and demonstration sites across different agricultural zones to investigate agrivoltaic systems. Finally, the bill requires the creation and regular updating of publicly available guidance on best practices for protecting soil health and productivity when solar energy systems are placed on agricultural land.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +8
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill provides farmers with dedicated research, demonstration sites, and best practices to combine agricultural production with solar energy, increasing profitability and protecting soil.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The legislation mandates best practices for protecting soil health, water management, and biodiversity during solar energy projects on agricultural land.
- Scored +7
Does this invest in rural communities?
The legislation directly supports rural communities by researching agrivoltaic systems to increase agricultural profitability and economic resilience.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The legislation authorizes the appropriation of $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out agrivoltaic provisions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2(b) and Section 2(c) mandate studies, research, and demonstration sites to investigate agrivoltaic systems. This could benefit farmers by identifying ways to increase agricultural productivity, profitability, and economic opportunities in rural communities while simultaneously producing solar energy on the same land.
-
Section 2(b)(1)(H)(v) assesses how to develop agrivoltaic systems in a way that reduces nonfarmer ownership of farmland. This may help protect independent farmers and keep agricultural land in the hands of those who actively farm it.
-
Section 3(a) requires the development and public posting of national and regionally relevant guidance on best practices for protecting soil health and water management during all phases of solar energy projects on agricultural land. This helps farmers and landowners protect their soil and maintain land productivity over the long term.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(d) authorizes the appropriation of $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the agrivoltaic provisions. This creates a financial cost that will ultimately be borne by taxpayers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The legislation mandates best practices for protecting soil health, water management, and biodiversity during solar energy projects on agricultural land. Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation directly supports rural communities by researching agrivoltaic systems to increase agricultural profitability and economic resilience. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill incorporates agrivoltaic definitions into federal renewable energy programs and tax credits, encouraging combined solar and agricultural use. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill promotes agrivoltaic systems which integrate solar energy production with agriculture, helping to expand renewable energy capacity. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill provides guidance on soil health and productivity to ensure sustainable land management when solar energy systems are sited on agricultural land.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill provides farmers with dedicated research, demonstration sites, and best practices to combine agricultural production with solar energy, increasing profitability and protecting soil. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural communities benefit from increased economic opportunities, agricultural resilience, and tailored regional guidance for agrivoltaic systems. Would business owners be better off under this? — Agricultural producers and farm business owners benefit from research and guidance aimed at increasing farm profitability and operational resilience. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Family farmers and middle-income rural residents stand to benefit from increased agricultural productivity and diversified income through solar integration. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — New economic opportunities in agricultural technology and rural communities may benefit younger individuals entering farming.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides guidance and research aimed at increasing agricultural profitability and economic opportunities for independent farmers and small agricultural businesses. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By investigating and promoting agrivoltaic systems, the bill aims to increase agricultural productivity and economic opportunities in rural communities. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes research and demonstration sites and studies that could create employment opportunities in agricultural research and rural development. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The legislation authorizes the appropriation of $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out agrivoltaic provisions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill mandates comprehensive studies, 5-year plans, and research networks operated by the Agricultural Research Service to investigate agrivoltaics.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill authorizes funding for comprehensive studies, research, and demonstration sites related to agrivoltaic systems.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires reports to Congress and the public posting of best practices guidance on the Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By enhancing economic opportunities in farming and rural communities, the bill could help support local incomes and alleviate rural poverty.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.