2nd National Dual-Use Design Challenge for Agriculture + Solar Innovation
illi News/10320579

CHICAGO - illiNews -- The Solar Farm Summit today announced the second Dual-Use Design Challenge is open for K–12 and post-secondary students across the United States to design innovative solutions that integrate agriculture production with solar energy systems (also known as "agrivoltaics") and submit them to this national competition organized to catalyze on-farm innovation. Participation instructions, competition rules, and submission guidelines are now available on the Solar Farm Summit website. Following preliminary scoring and finalist announcements, the Challenge will again culminate in live presentations and cash prizes given during an in-person awards ceremony in Chicago next June 2026.

Building on last year's highly successful inaugural event, the Dual-Use Design Challenge invites students to explore how solar arrays can coexist with growing crops and grazing livestock in agrivoltaic systems as well as conservation practices (known as "ecovoltaics")—introducing them to the exciting interdisciplinary fields of agrivoltaics and ecovoltaics through an accessible, student-centered, project-based experience and applied learning. Students may again choose from a broad set of design prompts that reflect real challenges farmers, communities, and land stewards face as they consider dual-use land strategies. Prompt categories include agribusiness, animal systems, plant systems, environmental science, natural resources, engineering, education, and more.

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This year, the 2026 Student Design Challenge introduces expanded middle and high school options aligned to the Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Pathways—supporting educators in agricultural programs, CTE tracks, and FFA chapters as they incorporate real-world, SAE-oriented experiences into the classroom.

Competition Timeline

• Competition Opens: December 4, 2025
• Submission Deadline: April 30, 2026
• Judging Period: May 1–15, 2026
• Finalists Announced: May 20, 2026
• Awards Ceremony: June 2026, Chicago (date & venue TBD)

There is no cost to participate and students need not be present to win. Learn more and access full guidelines at:

https://solarfarmsummit.com/student-design-challenge

Prizes & Recognition

Winners and finalists will receive cash prizes, certificates, and national recognition. Projects will be showcased live during the 2026 Solar Farm Summit's special program in Chicago.

Award categories will include:

• Finalist Recognition in each grade span (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12, Post-Secondary)
• Top Division Awards
• Special Honors for innovation, technical insight, communication excellence, and practical impact
• Grand Prize Winner (all levels)

Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated on:

• Creativity & Innovation
• Scientific & Technical Accuracy
• Practicality & Feasibility
• Presentation & Communication
• Impact on Agriculture, Ecology, and Community Well-Being

Call for Educators, Mentors & Industry Professionals

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The Challenge invites educators, FFA advisors, 4-H leaders, university faculty, and professionals across agriculture, energy, engineering, ecology and rural development to help students participate and thereby empower the next generation of problem-solvers. Mentors might also be industry experts, researchers, and practitioners able to help guide students through their projects.

Curriculum developers and educational publishers are also invited to collaborate with the Solar Farm Summit by creating formative classroom activities and aligned instructional materials that support teachers in introducing agrivoltaics and ecovoltaics to their students.

The Challenge also seeks sponsors to help provide student cash prizes, travel scholarships for finalists, and resources that make national participation more accessible.

If you're interested in supporting the Dual-Use Design Challenge in any way, email organizers at admin@solarfarmsummit.com.

Last Year's Winners

To see the creativity and diversity of last year's entries, view the 2025 finalists and winners at:
https://solarfarmsummit.com/blog/f/2025-student-design-challenge-winners-announced

About the Solar Farm Summit

The Solar Farm Summit is America's agrivoltaics conference and farming + solar exhibition, bringing together experts, farmers, researchers, educators, and innovators to explore the future of agriculture and energy. Through hands-on learning, collaborative programming, and national recognition initiatives like the Dual-Use Design Challenge, the Summit supports the advancement of dual-use systems that strengthen rural communities and agricultural resilience.