2025 Champion of the Year Finalists
Recognizing exceptional individuals whose unwavering commitment and influential leadership have propelled the integration of agrivoltaics and dual-use projects to new heights within their organization and beyond.
Iain Ward
Farmer & Founder and CEO of SolAg | Massachusetts
With a background in environmental science and early experience as a conservation planner for the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the USDA, Iain Ward has long been deeply connected to soil and farming. Drawing on this foundation, he has embraced agrivoltaics as a forward-thinking diversification strategy to support agricultural landowners and farmers. Notably, Iain transformed his own cranberry bog into an agrivoltaic farm by installing solar panels directly in the bog—a pioneering example of integrating renewable energy with traditional farming.
As the founder and CEO of Solar Agricultural Services (SolAg), Iain works closely with farmers and solar developers to create site-specific farm logistics plans that balance the needs of the land, the farmer, and renewable energy production. Owning a first-generation cranberry and livestock farm for 15 years, he champions income diversification, market security, and sustainable soil and water conservation practices throughout Massachusetts, the Northeast, and the U.S. at large. He partners with academic institutions to advance science-based research on crop production, soil health, and light availability under solar arrays and is passionate about educating and building the capacity of solar developers to understand farming’s unique needs. Iain believes deeply in saving the soils and supporting farmers through smart solar integration.
Known for his collaborative approach, positive energy, and deep commitment to steward the land with the utmost care and respect, Iain works with organizations and policymakers nationwide to promote policies that support agrivoltaics as a lasting agricultural practice. His mission is to support “the regeneration of millions of acres of farmland, the revitalization of thousands of farm families, and the vitality of thousands of beginning farmers across the country and internationally.” His work inspires a future where farming stays at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions.
Learn more about Iain’s impactful efforts through the links provided below.
Lexie Hain
Farmer & Director of Agrivoltaics and Land Management, Lightsource bp | New York
Lexie Hain’s name is practically synonymous with the evolution of solar grazing and agrivoltaics in the United States. As one of the first sheep farmers in New York to be approached for grazing on solar land, she immediately saw the bigger picture: a new, sustainable form of land use that could benefit farmers, ecosystems, and clean energy developers alike.
But she didn’t stop at implementing it on her own land. Lexie co-founded the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) to support fellow graziers and solar developers across the country. Her vision was clear: build an organization that would outlast any one individual, with best practices, education, and advocacy at its core. Under her leadership, ASGA has grown to represent over 1,000 members, supporting grazing on more than 100,000 acres across 500+ sites in 40 states. ASGA now has its own executive director and continues to thrive, thanks in large part to the foundation she laid.
Today, as Senior Director of Agrivoltaics and Land Management at Lightsource bp, Lexie brings that same visionary drive to one of the largest solar developers in the country. She has built out the largest solar grazing portfolio in the U.S., and works tirelessly to ensure responsible solar development that supports—not replaces—agriculture.
Lexie is widely recognized as a connector across disciplines, a trusted advisor to new and experienced graziers, and an unwavering advocate for the integration of agriculture and renewable energy. Her impact spans mentoring ranchers, navigating corporate structures, promoting responsible land stewardship, defining industry standards, and building a supportive community for this emerging field.
Whether as a founder, practitioner, educator, or executive, Lexie Hain has led a movement. And she continues to blaze the trail for what agrivoltaics can and should be.
As Lexie says, “We’re not building a little power plant over here in a box. We’re working the land. These are two industries that need each other. So let’s have a little patience and let’s get it done.”
Learn more about Lexie’s story and her description of the value of solar grazing in the video below.
Raising sheep on solar farms: Meet families helping revive America's sheep industry
Lucy Bullock-Sieger
Lucy Bullock-Sieger is Chief Strategy Officer at Lightstar Renewables and a passionate champion keenly focused driving positive development in the nexus of food, health, and clean energy. An accomplished and seasoned policy and communications professional, Lucy has powered through legislative campaigns and strategic business developments by leveraging her leadership, networking, organizational management and policy experience to consistently make a difference. Lucy and her team helped the first towns in New York to change their bylaws to allow for agrivoltaic solar, when previously solar had been prohibited on agricultural soil. And she also spearheaded the passage of landmark legislation in New Jersey, making it the home of the largest state agrivoltaics program in the nation.
At Lightstar, Lucy leads strategy for current and new markets, regulatory policy, government affairs, and marketing across all Lightstar markets. A natural facilitator and collaborator, Lucy works closely with advocacy organizations, industry colleagues, legislators, and administration officials at all levels to advocate for sustainable and equitable solar policy and programs. And lately Lucy and her team are deeply engaged with communities and stakeholders everywhere to cultivate innovative policy implementation to enable farming + solar projects to sprout across the country.
Lucy is also a founding force and serving Chair of the The Solar & Farming Association (SAFA), a coalition of organizations representing the interests of the agrivoltaics industry including developers, agricultural producers, livestock producers, and affiliated organizations. Formed last year, Lucy and SAFA have been leading the charge on the Hill to advocate for robust agrivoltaics policy with lawmakers.
Peter Schmitt
Peter Schmitt is a Director of Project Development at US Solar focusing on grid scale developments ranging from 50-300+ MW and resident ‘agrivoltaics czar’ who spearheads the company's vegetation innovations to incorporate pollinator seed mixes, experimental crops, beehives, and solar grazing on US Solar sites. Peter is passionate about the possibilities when combining agricultural production and solar production, and a driving force behind US Solar’s efforts to leverage agrivoltaics to address critical challenges, such as improving land access for emerging farmers.
Peter grew up in Minnesota to be a big guy with a bigger brain, receiving two undergraduate and two graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota. Studying German, Environmental Science, and Sustainability Studies as an undergraduate, with a Master in Public Policy and Master of Business Administration, his graduate studies focused on social entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and consulting.
Prior to joining US Solar, Peter worked as an internal consultant at Xcel Energy in transmission, founded a commercial compost company, and lived and worked abroad in Austria as a teacher and environmental consultant for a public utility in Austria.
Peter’s leadership was instrumental in US Solar’s involvement and participation in the Big River Farms project, a successful and standout agrivoltaics project in Minnesota–and 2024 North American Agrivoltaics Awards winning project.
Sarah Moser
Senior Director, Head of Farm Operations and Agrivoltaics at Savion
Sarah Moser brings deep agricultural roots and a bold vision to one of the country’s largest utility-scale solar developers. As Savion’s first Head of Farm Operations and Agrivoltaics, she is leading the company’s commitment to integrating sustainable farming practices across project sites. Her work focuses on turning solar fields into productive landscapes that support soil health, biodiversity, and the preservation of farmland.
Before stepping into this national leadership role, Moser farmed her family’s land in Madison County, Ohio, which was established by her grandfather in 1959. She also served in the U.S. Air Force. Her firsthand experience in agriculture now informs Savion’s approach to dual-use solar. She plays a pivotal role in shaping the Madison Fields Solar Project, a 180-megawatt facility expected to produce enough energy to power approximately 38,000 homes annually for the next 35 to 40 years.
Sarah’s work is helping to redefine what solar development can look like in rural communities. Her leadership ensures that farmers’ voices are included in solar development and that land stewardship remains a core value in utility-scale solar.
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