Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize

The Large Animal and Solar System Operations (LASSO) Prize, launched by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, is designed to encourage and support innovative agrivoltaic projects that combine solar photovoltaic (PV) energy production with cattle grazing. The prize, with a total pool of up to $8.2 million, will be awarded across two tracks—the Standard Track and the Operating Projects Track—each divided into multiple phases focusing on project development, implementation, and data collection. The program aims to expand agrivoltaics in the U.S. by collecting comprehensive data, showcasing scalable business models, and reducing barriers to integrating cattle grazing with PV systems. The Standard Track supports new cattle agrivoltaic projects in several phases, beginning with Phase 1, which requires competitors to form teams of relevant stakeholders, such as solar developers and cattle ranchers. Teams must submit a high-level project plan, including site selection and preliminary PV and grazing design. Successful completion of Phase 1 allows teams to advance to subsequent phases that focus on detailed project design, permitting, construction, and multi-year data collection. Awards in this track increase with each phase, with Phase 2 awards reaching up to $225,000 per team. The Standard Track also includes a bonus for projects with PV systems over 5 MW and a "Data Bounty" for exceptional data sharing and transparency. The Operating Projects Track is designed for existing, operational cattle agrivoltaic projects with systems over 250 kW-dc. In Phase 1 of this track, teams document their existing projects, including details on system design, cattle management, and operational outcomes. Phase 2 will involve data collection and reporting over two years. This track also offers opportunities for substantial cash awards and the chance to compete for the Data Bounty bonus prize by providing additional valuable datasets beyond the required metrics. Eligibility for both tracks is limited to U.S.-based teams, which must include a solar developer and a cattle rancher or farmer, and all participants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. Projects must demonstrate cattle integration with PV systems of at least 250 kW-dc, with larger systems given preference. Submissions that do not feature direct interaction between cattle and PV systems or that include livestock other than cattle will not be considered. Applications are scored on team composition, project design and innovation, scalability, and the expected community and environmental benefits. Winning entries will exhibit clear and comprehensive plans that balance solar and agricultural productivity while maintaining animal health and supporting sustainable land use practices. In addition to cash prizes, the LASSO Prize requires participants to comply with regulatory considerations like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and encourages a diverse and inclusive approach in both team composition and project impacts.