Mammoth Solar & Purdue University: Pioneering Agrivoltaics for the Future of Farming

Building the Future of Farming and Energy together

Through collaboration between Mammoth Solar, Purdue University, and regional partners, this initiative is shaping how solar energy and agriculture can thrive side by side. By combining scientific research, advanced technology, and real world application, the partnership is redefining what it means to build sustainable prosperity across rural America.

A Regional Alliance for Climate Resilience

Across the Midwest, farmers are facing unpredictable weather, rising energy demands, and growing economic pressure. Through the Midwest Agrivoltaics Resilience Consortium (MARC), Mammoth Solar and Purdue University are working together to find practical, science-driven solutions that protect both harvests and livelihoods.

Supported by the National Science Foundation’s Regional Resilience Innovation Incubator (R2I2) program, this partnership combines research, engineering, and community engagement to make the Midwest a national leader in agrivoltaics, where solar and agriculture work hand in hand to power the future.

“This collaboration elevates Mammoth Solar from a utility scale project into a regional engine for innovation.”
Ed Baptista, Vice President of Development and Agrivoltaics, Doral Renewables

A Living Laboratory at Mammoth Solar

Within Mammoth Solar’s footprint in Pulaski and Starke Counties, a dedicated research zone is being created, one of the largest agrivoltaics field laboratories in the nation. This living laboratory will give scientists, farmers, and engineers a place to test how solar infrastructure can enhance agricultural productivity, reduce risk, and strengthen energy reliability.

Research focus areas include:

Crop trials to study shade tolerant and climate resilient varieties
Robotics and autonomous equipment for precision agriculture
Continuous monitoring of soil health, water, and microclimate data
Integration with Purdue led microgrid and energy resilience studies
Demonstration plots and educational programs through Purdue Extension

By bringing real world research to a working solar site, Mammoth Solar helps prove how renewable energy and productive farmland can coexist and thrive together.

Powered by Technology and Innovation

To advance research and reliability, Mammoth Solar is collaborating with Nextpower (formerly Nextracker), a global leader in solar tracking, automation, and robotics. Together, the team will integrate advanced sensing and robotic systems to support Purdue’s studies on how agrivoltaics perform under changing climate conditions.

This partnership positions Mammoth Solar as a national testbed for next generation renewable energy and agricultural technologies, pioneering data driven approaches that benefit farmers, utilities, and local economies alike.

Real Benefits for Midwest Communities

Agrivoltaics is not just about research, it is about results. The Mammoth Purdue partnership is designed to deliver tangible benefits that strengthen rural Indiana and beyond.

Community Impact Highlights:

Diversified farm income through agrivoltaics practices
Improved soil and vegetation management using dual use methods
New workforce training in renewable energy and modern agriculture
Expanded community engagement through Purdue Extension and local partnerships

By combining innovation with education, this initiative helps farmers adapt, businesses grow, and communities stay resilient for the long term.

“When hail ruins a harvest, heat strains livestock, or windstorms cut electricity, farmers and their communities are hit hard. Our goal is to understand how agrivoltaics can make our nation’s rural communities more resilient and prosperous.”

Dr. Dan Chavas, Principal Investigator, Purdue University
“By dedicating space for crop trials and harnessing Purdue and Nextpower’s expertise, we aim to show that agrivoltaics can provide reliable power, protect agricultural productivity, and strengthen rural economies against climate and market disruptions.”

Ed Baptista, Vice President of Development and Agrivoltaics, Doral Renewables

About the partners

Mammoth Solar

Developed by Doral Renewables, Mammoth Solar is one of the largest solar projects in the United States, located in Pulaski and Starke Counties, Indiana. The project represents a long term commitment to responsible land use, renewable energy innovation, and meaningful local partnerships.

Purdue University and MARC

The Midwest Agrivoltaics Resilience Consortium (MARC) unites Purdue University, Purdue Extension, the Midwest Regional Climate Center, Wabash Heartland Innovation Network, Tipmont REMC, NIPSCO, and regional agricultural partners to advance climate resilience, rural prosperity, and sustainable energy solutions.

Follow the PRogress

Research, field demonstrations, and community programs are underway, and this is only the beginning.

Visit the MARC site