SUNRAY for Energy Act
Requires USDA to study farm-and-solar systems, establish research sites, and issue guidance on protecting agricultural soils.
In the House Agriculture Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 11 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Solar projects on farmland can be designed to operate alongside crops or livestock, but suitable approaches vary by region and land use. The bill would direct the Agriculture Department to study these systems, establish research sites, and create soil-protection guidance. It would also develop a definition for use in relevant federal programs.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Define agrivoltaic systems for federal programs
The Agriculture Secretary would incorporate a definition covering solar energy and agricultural production on the same land throughout a solar project. Working with the Energy Secretary and farm and conservation groups, the Secretary would develop a definition for federal agriculture, energy, procurement, and investment tax-credit programs, taking regional differences into account.
- Study farm-and-solar systems and plan research
The Agriculture Secretary would study how different solar designs work with crops and livestock, including effects on yields, soil and water, animal management, markets, climate impacts, and farm insurance. Based on the study, the Secretary would develop a five-year plan for department activities that support systems without displacing agricultural production, and send the study results to Congress.
- Establish regional research and demonstration sites
The Agriculture Secretary would establish and maintain research sites in multiple U.S. regions, including arid, semi-arid, and wet agricultural zones. The sites would investigate systems intended to support farm productivity, resilience, biodiversity, and economic opportunities in farming and rural communities.
- Issue guidance on protecting farmland
The Agriculture Secretary would publish national and regionally relevant guidance on protecting soil health and productivity when solar systems are sited, built, operated, and decommissioned on agricultural land. The guidance would address soil, water, and vegetation management, including plants suited for pollinators, and be reviewed and updated regularly.
The bill focuses on how solar development on agricultural land can affect farm production, soil and water, and rural economic opportunities. It directs federal research to examine where different systems fit, what risks they raise, and how to support systems that do not displace agricultural production.
Its guidance would give land managers and project participants federal recommendations for protecting soil health and productivity at different stages of a solar project.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026HOUSESEP 24, 2026By Rep. SorensenReferred to Agriculture
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeSEP 24, 2026AGRICULTURE NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 11 daysNo hearing yet
- 11 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 11, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
What readers think
Discussion
Get an alert when it changes stage, gets a floor vote in the House, or is signed into law.