Abstract

Agriculture has traditionally been defined as merely the production of food, fiber, and raw materials. Growing global challenges such as rising energy demand, resource depletion, and environmental degradation are reshaping the agricultural industry. This paper argues that modern agriculture has the potential to expand beyond its conventional roles by integrating renewable energy production—specifically through agrivoltaics and biomass generation—into existing agricultural practices. By focusing on these two main systems, this study highlights how the agriculture industry can implement energy production into already existing practices. Drawing on scientific literature and government sources, this study analyzes the environmental, economic, and social implications of renewable energy integration for agriculture. The findings suggest that the systems discussed can not only benefit society but also the environment by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving overall resource efficiency. Renewable energy adoption provides economic benefits by increasing income sources and decreasing operating costs for producers. This paper also addresses limitations, including high initial investment costs, technological barriers, and challenges to overall adoption. Overall, this research demonstrates that connecting renewable energy systems with agricultural operations can improve efficiency and reduce waste, supporting the development of a stable and resilient agricultural system.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 5-4-2026

Mentor

Mike McDermott

Mentor Department Affiliation

Agriculture

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelors

Department

Agriculture

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