Diffusion of Solar Technology in Agriculture

Solar power provides many benets to agriculture due to its suitability for remote uses and low maintenance energy production. This thesis studies the diffusion of solar technology in agriculture through two different lenses. First, we examine the factors leading to widespread installation of solar panels through a cross sectional regression. Second, we examine the factors leading farmers in each state to install varying amounts of solar technology through a panel regression. All data are aggregated to the state level. We nd that solar radiation, electricity price, wind power potential, utility expenditures, grant programs, and sales tax incentives positively impact the proportion of farms adopting solar technology in each state. Solar radiation, electricity prices, utility expenditures, proportion of agricultural land irrigated, and sales tax incentives are associated with more intense adoption (i.e. more solar panels per thousand farms). We can conclude that there are a broad range of motivations for adopting solar technology in agriculture.

Pfeiffer_Georgia_MS_Thesis_Final.pdf (2.93 MB)

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