In a groundbreaking initiative to advance renewable energy education, Israeli green energy firm Energiya Global Capital has partnered with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to promote solar energy expertise. The project, funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, aims to educate HBCU students and Southern rural farmers on agrivoltaics— an innovative approach that integrates agriculture with solar energy production.
The initiative will be spearheaded by Energiya’s nonprofit arm, Gigawatt Impact, which specializes in expanding solar energy solutions worldwide. Through this collaboration, participating HBCU scholars will receive hands-on training in renewable energy, equipping them with the skills to develop and implement solar-powered agricultural systems in their communities.
Agrivoltaics is the practice of using land for both agriculture and solar energy production. It’s also known as agrisolar, dual use solar, or low impact solar. “The people who brought solar energy to Israel and sub-Saharan Africa are now bringing our innovation and tech solutions to Historically Black Colleges and rural Black farmers in the United States,” Yosef Abramowitz, president and CEO of Energiya Global Capital, told Jewish News Syndicate. “This is Israel’s contribution to a new positive era in Black-Jewish relations through innovation,” Abramowitz continued. The partnership was announced at a time when once-tense relations between Jewish and Black communities have been steadily improving.
Agrivoltaics offers a valuable way to enhance food security while also promoting clean energy advancements, according to Yosef Abramowitz, CEO of Energiya Global Capital. He emphasized that collaborating with HBCUs helps cultivate future sustainability leaders who will spearhead innovation in both the agricultural and renewable energy sectors.
The project is particularly focused on farmers in the rural South, who will gain insights into maximizing land use efficiency by growing crops under solar panels. This dual-use system not only enhances agricultural yields but also provides clean energy alternatives for historically underserved regions.
With climate change and energy equity at the forefront of national discussions, this partnership underscores the importance of empowering communities with sustainable solutions. HBCU students will not only gain critical industry experience but also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of renewable energy in the U.S.
As the initiative rolls out, stakeholders hope that it will serve as a model for future collaborations between global energy firms and minority-serving institutions, proving that the intersection of education, sustainability, and innovation can create lasting impact.
