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One of the smallest states in the US has been punching way above its weight in terms of installed solar capacity for almost 25 years, and it’s not stopping there. A new statewide project is in the works to draw more farms into the agrivoltaic movement, in which solar panels and agriculture combine for mutual benefit. If you guessed the state in question is New Jersey, either you caught the Garden State reference or you’re reading this now. Either way, New Jersey holds the #10 position for installed solar capacity in a 50-state ranking. That’s quite a feat for a state that sits down at #46 by land mass. To further complicate the prospects for solar growth, New Jersey is a densely developed state sandwiched between Philadelphia and New York City, packed with suburban towns, malls, roadways, railways, and commercial activity including major airports and seaports. That leaves little room for the kind of sprawling solar arrays common in Texas and other land-rich states. To shrink the pool of available space further, New Jersey ranks high on the scale of land set aside for public parks and wildlife conservation. One survey puts it at 20%, second only to Alaska. That explains why much of the growth in solar capacity has consisted of rooftop solar arrays, parking lot canopies, and other small-scale installations. Agriculture comprises one of the few remaining sectors in which private property is not already developed for other uses. Solar developers have been encountering rising opposition in rural communities, but the 2022 New Jersey agricultural census indicates that farmers in the state are already amenable to infrastructure that leverages solar energy. The census includes farms earning annual revenue, or potential revenue, of $1,000 or more. As of 2022, it showed that greenhouse operations lead the state’s agriculture industry along with nurseries, floriculture, and sod production. “New Jersey ranks fifth in the nation in nursery stock sales at $296 million and is third in potted flowering plant sales at $77.5 million,” the NJ Department of Agriculture explained in a recap of the 2022 census posted earlier this year. Of note, the census also revealed the New Jersey outstrips larger states in the production of certain specialty crops and row crops, two areas in which agrivoltaic activity is beginning to ramp up. That includes eggplant (#3 in state rankings), cranberries and asparagus (#4), and blueberries (#5). The Agriculture Department also lists New Jersey in the Top 10 for peaches, plums, bell peppers, spinach, bok choy, escarole, and other crops. In a state where farmers are already squeezed for space, farms are also getting smaller. That trend is also consistent with the potential for agrivoltaic projects to maximize the use of space. The 2022 census showed that the amount of acres farmed in New Jersey fell in accord with national trends, but the number of farms rose by 115 to hit 9,998. In contrast, the number of farms in the US fell by 7%. Agrivoltaic projects can also complement the state’s growing agritourism sector. Despite the interruption of the COVID-19 outbreak, farmer revenue from agritourism in New Jersey topped $29 million in 2022, up from $18 million in 2017. Against this backdrop, in October the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced the launch of the new Dual-Use Agrivoltaics Pilot Program. Billed as one of the first dual-use agrivoltaic programs in the country to be implemented on a statewide basis, the three-year program is aiming at a total of up to 200 megawatts over the next three years. That’s just for starters. The Utilities Board notes that its NJBPU Solar Program has shepherded the installation of more than 205,000 solar projects in New Jersey since its inception in 2000, for a total capacity of 4.9 gigawatts. Last year the Solar Program held a record-setting pace for applications, bringing the total up to 6.2 gigawatts if projects in the pipeline are included. Research culled from participating farms in the Dual-Use Program will support a permanent program, complete with construction and operation standards that will help accelerate more widespread adoption. The Rutgers University Agrivoltaic Program is charged with administering the program. In an interesting twist, BPU also notes that its community solar program has been taking off. Community solar projects are another area in which agrivoltaic practices are beginning to emerge, providing new business opportunities for local livestock grazers and other farmers. Interested? Stay tuned for a Notice of Availability sometime in January. Updates will be posted on the BPU website and the New Jersey Clean Energy Program website, or sign up for BPU and Clean Energy listservs. CleanTechnica has been following the agrivoltaic movement since 2018, when researchers at the US Department of Energy and elsewhere began to assemble evidence that some crops can thrive in the partial shade of solar panels. The shade also fosters a supportive microclimate for soil and water conservation, while the cooling effect of vegetation helps to increase solar conversion efficiency (see lots more dual-use background here ). In the following years, much of the activity has focused on livestock grazing or habitat restoration with a focus on pollinator-friendly plants that support nearby crops. More recently, the agrivoltaic field has branched out with an assist from new, vertical bifacial solar technology . Rutgers recently installed the first such vertical solar panels in New Jersey at its farm in New Brunswick, to assess how the vertical configuration can facilitate hay mowing as well as livestock grazing. The case for agrivoltaics is also gaining attention for its role in preventing a catastrophic decline in the global insect population. Last year, researchers from the Energy Department and academic partners published the results of a five-year study assessing the impacts of habitat restoration on the grounds of utility-scale solar arrays . “We found increases over time for all habitat and biodiversity metrics: floral rank, flowering plant species richness, insect group diversity, native bee abundance, and total insect abundance, with the most noticeable temporal increases in native bee abundance,” the research team concluded. Overall, they assessed that insect communities responded to the habitat restoration project at the relatively rapid pace of less than four years. In another key finding, the researchers found that bee visitations from the solar array to a nearby soybean field were comparable to the visitations from a nearby farmland preserved under the US Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program. That’s interesting from a rural solar development perspective. The CRP is tasked with helping farmers restore marginal lands. It covers millions of acres under 10-15 year contracts. If utility-scale solar arrays can achieve similar goals while generating clean kilowatts, then so much the better. Follow me via LinkTree , or @tinamcasey on Threads, LinkedIn, and Bluesky. Photo (cropped): Space-saving bifiacial PV technology is a new addition to the dual-use agrivoltaic movement, which enables farmers to continue working their land while realizing income from solar projects (courtesy of Rutgers University). 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Elon Musk has ignited speculation regarding the potential creation of a U.S. Bitcoin BTC/USD strategic reserve. This comes as Bitcoin’s value soars past the $100,000 mark, following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump . What Happened : According to a report Musk’s hints at a significant shift in the Bitcoin and crypto market have led traders and analysts to speculate on the possibility of a U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve. Musk, who has emerged as an influential advisor to Trump after the election, is viewed as a crucial figure in the pro-cryptocurrency administration. According to the report by Forbes, despite distancing himself from the sector following the 2021 bull run, Musk’s company, Tesla, continues to hold approximately 10,000 Bitcoin, valued at nearly $1 billion. Cryptocurrency and financial markets analyst Richard Ptardio told the outlet, “With Bitcoin and crypto’s most famous cheerleader in Elon Musk at Trump’s side, we can expect the most pro-cryptocurrency administration to date.” Also Read: Musk’s Net Worth Tops One-Third of a Trillion Dollars As the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 threshold, Musk commended El Salvador’s Bitcoin investment profits, further fueling speculation about the establishment of a U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve. However, many Bitcoin and crypto observers still consider the creation of a U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve as unlikely, with the Polymarket prediction platform forecasting a 25% chance. Why It Matters : The establishment of a U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve could significantly impact the cryptocurrency market. It would not only legitimize Bitcoin as a strategic asset but also potentially stabilize its price. Musk’s influence in the Trump administration and his company’s significant Bitcoin holdings make his support for such a move noteworthy. However, the skepticism among Bitcoin and crypto watchers indicates that the establishment of a U.S. Bitcoin strategic reserve is far from a done deal. The market will closely watch Musk’s actions and statements in the coming months. Read Next Elon Musk Aims For Mars by 2030, But Experts Say Don’t Count On It © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Kuwait: The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has emphasised its commitment to the strength and cohesion of the GCC, the unity of its members, and achieving greater coordination, integration, and interconnection in all fields, to fulfil the aspirations of the citizens of the member states. The final statement issued by the GCC Supreme Council in its 45th session, held in Kuwait on Sunday, reiterated that GCC states stand united against any threats faced by any of the member countries. The Supreme Council reviewed the report of the General Secretariat regarding the progress made in implementing the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to enhance joint Gulf action, which was approved by the Supreme Council in its 36th session in December 2015. The Supreme Council directed the relevant authorities, councils, ministerial and technical committees, and the General Secretariat, as well as all Council agencies, to increase efforts to complete the remaining steps in implementing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ vision, in accordance with a defined timeline and careful follow-up. The Supreme Council reviewed the report on the achievements of the Health Cities Programme in the member states, a report on the implementation of the International Health Regulations regarding joint Gulf efforts in public health emergencies, and the report related to the implementation of the Supreme Council’s decision on the labour inspection programme. The Supreme Council praised the accomplishments and efforts of the member states in combating corruption, including the adoption of a guide to enhance integrity through the governance of state-owned enterprises. The Supreme Council emphasised the importance of enhancing joint action to maximise the impact of the member states' efforts and initiatives related to energy transformations and climate change, activating cooperation, exchanging experiences, and developing enabling capabilities with regional countries under the umbrella of the Green Middle East Initiative. The Supreme Council reaffirmed its commitment to adopting the fundamental pillars of social, economic, and environmental energy transformations by implementing the principle of shared yet differentiated responsibilities, as agreed upon in the United Arab Emirates Agreement during the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai in 2023, and continued sustainable investments in hydrocarbon resources. The Council welcomed the outcomes of COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in this context. The Supreme Council stressed the importance of supporting global energy market stability and adopting a balanced approach that does not exclude energy sources but instead innovates technologies that enable emissions management and efficient use of all energy sources to facilitate sustainable economic growth for all. The Council called for enhanced cooperation among member states to implement a circular carbon economy approach in related policies, mechanisms, strategies, plans, and initiatives, including nationally determined contributions. The Supreme Council praised the successful hosting of the “Expo 2023 Doha for Horticulture” in Qatar under the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment”, which was attended by 77 countries and millions of visitors, focusing on enhancing environmental sustainability, combating desertification, and encouraging innovation and modern technologies in agricultural development. The Supreme Council approved the recommendations of the Joint Defense Council at its 21st session and expressed its satisfaction with the progress of joint military action to achieve operational integration among the armed forces of the member states. The Supreme Council endorsed the Joint Defence Council’s recommendation to appoint H E Major General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Salim Al Balawi as the Commander of the Unified Military Command of the GCC, wishing him success in his mission. The Supreme Council welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Interior Ministers’ Committee regarding the unified tourist visa and the project for developing the traffic systems, endorsing the outcomes achieved and delegating the Interior Ministers to take the necessary actions in this regard. The Supreme Council affirmed respect for the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, based on international charters, norms, and laws, rejecting any threats faced by any member state. The Supreme Council condemned in the strongest terms the shocking and horrific crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip as part of a genocide and ethnic cleansing agenda, including the killing of civilians, torture, summary executions, enforced disappearances, forced displacement, and looting. The Supreme Council praised the efforts of Qatar in mediating a ceasefire and facilitating the delivery of assistance to the besieged Gaza Strip, reaffirming the contents of the joint statement issued on August 8, 2024, by Amir H H Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Egypt President H E Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and US President H E Joe Biden concerning the necessity of reaching a ceasefire, releasing hostages and detainees, and calling for the resumption of negotiations. The Supreme Council welcomed the decision issued by the International Court of Justice on May 24, 2024, ordering Israel to immediately cease military actions or any other activities in the Rafah governorate based on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The Supreme Council welcomed the United Kingdom’s announcement on September 3, 2024, to suspend licenses for arms exports to the Israeli occupation to avoid their use in committing serious violations of international humanitarian law, including equipment used in the current war on the Gaza Strip. The final statement affirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, the need to end the Israeli occupation, and its support for the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all occupied Palestinian territories. The Supreme Council expressed its support for the efforts of Saudi Arabia in launching the “International Coalition to Implement the Two-State Solution” in New York on September 26, 2024, in partnership with Norway and the European Union, to set a timeline for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and to end the Israeli occupation. The Supreme Council reaffirmed its firm stances and previous resolutions condemning the continued Iranian occupation of the three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa) belonging to the United Arab Emirates. The Supreme Council affirmed that the Al Durra field is entirely situated within Kuwait’s maritime territories. It declared that ownership of natural resources in the shared submerged zone adjacent to the Saudi-Kuwaiti partitioned area, including the entire Al Durra field, is exclusively shared between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Supreme Council emphasised the importance of fostering dialogue and respect among peoples and cultures, rejecting anything that promotes religious hatred and extremism. The Supreme Council condemned the ongoing foreign support for terrorist groups and sectarian militias in the Middle East, which threaten Arab national security, destabilise the region, and obstruct international counter-terrorism efforts, particularly those of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The Council expressed its deep concern over the military escalation in the region, including the missile attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran on October 26, 2024, and their negative impact on regional security and stability. The Supreme Council expressed the GCC countries’ concern about the developments in the Iranian nuclear file, stressing the importance of reaching constructive understandings on this issue to maintain regional security and stability. It affirmed the GCC countries’ readiness to cooperate and deal effectively with this file, and their participation in all regional and international negotiations and meetings related to it.None