Sun and Shade--teaming up

When blue-collar workers and environmental advocates work together in what is becoming known as a blue-green alliance, those stories often catch my eye. Despite long-running oligarch narratives attempting to pit these groups against each other, we no longer fall for that ruse. For example, in Becker, Minnesota, one of the Midwest’s biggest solar projects “demonstrates how we can build upon existing infrastructure and workforce expertise to meet growing energy needs, create economic opportunities for Minnesota communities and continue advancing our renewable energy transition," according to Bria Shea. Sherco Solar feeds the grid through the transmission infrastructure and interconnection rights of the retired coal giant next door. The senior operations manager, Luke Molus, is a born-and-raised local, proud to be part of his hometown’s energy future.

Farmers and ranchers too are learning how to benefit from clean energy production benefits. The Ring Road Agrivoltaics Project in Kingston, Massachusetts is a 4.4 MW solar farm built directly over active cranberry bogs. Paired with a 13.5 MWh battery energy storage system, the project delivers reliable, renewable energy to the grid while boosting the resilience and productivity of local cranberry farming. Blueberry growers too found positive results in tests of new dual-use solar systems. Elevated panels allow farms to navigate equipment through the shielded crops. Shade from the panels protects the crop from extreme heat and also preserves internal moisture, producing firmer berries with higher natural sugar levels and lower acidity than sun-scorched crops. Excess energy captured in battery systems ensures both agricultural stability and reliable clean power during extreme weather, like this summer’s (2026) record-breaking heat.

In Poland, sheep can mow under standard lower panels, and they thrive when feeding on the greener grass and lounging in the lower heat stress of solar panel shade. Cattle in Tennessee have also joined in the new agrivoltaics boom, helping promote the win-win solutions we need.