Founder/President/CEO shares his AgriVoltaic Farming Systems business model
AgriVoltaic Farming Systems Inc.
A GridZero Venture Fund Company
AgriVoltaic Farming Systems (AVFS) represents a bold new direction in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. Developed as part of a visionary vineyard and winery concept by the GridZero Venture Fund, AVFS is designed to transform farmland into dual-purpose assets—combining food production with clean energy generation.
Born from our desire to power vineyard operations with sustainable resources, AVFS utilizes bifacial solar panel canopies to grow crops while simultaneously generating electricity for on-site use and grid distribution. This innovation merges the future of farming with the power of renewable energy, offering a scalable model for sustainable land use across North America.
🌱 The Concept: Dual-Use Farmland for the 21st Century
At its core, AVFS aims to:
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Grow wine grapes and crops under solar panel canopies, reducing sun stress on plants while optimizing land use.
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Power agricultural operations including Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG) for on-site water production, EV-powered farm equipment, and vertical farms.
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Sell surplus solar energy back to the local power grid, providing a new revenue stream for landowners.
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Enhance sustainability and drought resilience by reducing reliance on municipal water and fossil fuels.
Our initial plan incorporates AVFS into a 65-acre vineyard and research campus. The layout includes:
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One 60,000 sq. ft. canopy (~1 MW capacity)
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Four 40,000 sq. ft. canopies, each generating ~700 kW
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Covered guest parking area beneath one canopy
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Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) for nighttime power generation
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SmartFlower solar displays as both energy assets and educational showpieces
🔬 Research-Backed Development
To prove the model’s scalability, GridZero plans to develop a 20-acre AgriVoltaic Research Campus within our Founders proposed vineyard project. This long-term initiative will study the effects of solar canopy coverage on various crops, comparing yield, growth rates, and water usage between shaded and open-field cultivation.
Early research suggests that AVFS may not only work for wine grapes, but also for:
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Citrus trees
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Avocados
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Berries
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Coffee beans
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Leafy greens and produce
Incorporating renewable atmospheric water generation (AWG) and energy storage systems, AVFS positions itself as a complete solution for sustainable agriculture in regions impacted by water shortages, climate variability, or grid instability. It also provides the power necessary to run the winery and tasting room in the project outlined on the this rendering.
🔋 Powering the Future of Farming
Each AVFS system is modular and scalable. A small vineyard or farm can generate multi-megawatts of clean energy, transforming any agricultural or ranch lands into net-positive energy assets that both feed people and fuel local economies. In addition to solar and wind, integrating energy storage systems to ensure 24/7 operational capacity, will continue to drive this model forward in the years ahead. especially for:
📈 Market Trends & Impact
As global agriculture faces mounting pressure to reduce emissions and increase yields, agrivoltaics is emerging as a key solution. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, dual-use solar farms could generate over 20% of the country's electricity needs without displacing food production. AVFS is designed to capitalize on this trend.
Coupled with the rise of electric farm equipment and climate-resilient irrigation systems, AVFS represents a future-ready platform to make better use of our farm and ranch lands. GridZero offers design/build and consulting for clients including:
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Vineyards, ranches and livestock shelters
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Citrus groves (Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Avocados
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Specialty crop farms like coffee bean
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Agri-tourism destinations
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Institutional and municipal landowners
📈 Market Trends & Impact
While land has not yet been acquired, the AVFS model is fully conceptualized and ready for development. With proper funding, GridZero aims to break ground by late 2025, launching the vineyard as both a working farm and an agrivoltaic demonstration site.
AVFS is one of several high-impact ventures in the GridZero Venture Fund portfolio, reflecting our commitment to regenerative business models that serve both people and the planet.
Smartflower All-in-One Solar Systems
Many of the GridZero Venture Fund projects will incorporate the SmartFlower solar systems mainly for visual display purposes. They are well suited for residential and vineyard settings. Our projects will serve as an active showroom of working SmartFlower systems. Some come with built in energy storage, while most are linked together with a more universal battery system.
AgriVoltaic Farming Systems: Where Farming Meets the Future.
Interested in partnering or investing in AVFS? Contact us to learn more