Joe Czajkowski Farm: Growing Produce and Producing Power in the Pioneer Valley

Joe Czajkowski, a third-generation farmer and proud owner of the farm bearing his name, cultivates a wide variety of crops on over 400 acres in Massachusetts' fertile Pioneer Valley. His farm supplies produce to a diverse range of customers, including local farm-to-table restaurants as well as large institutional buyers such as UMASS Amherst Dining Services, Springfield Public Schools, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

For more than two decades, Czajkowski has grown a rotating mix of crops, including beets, broccoli, tobacco, corn and spinach. In recent years, he has pursued an innovative solution to preserve agricultural productivity while also creating a sustainable secondary income stream from his land. “It helps your cash flow, it makes your farm more viable and I think it’s better for the country and for the environment,” said Czajkowski. “I’m getting paid for the electricity and I also get a discount on my electric bill... it was a very good deal for us.”

In collaboration with Hyperion Systems, the farm now hosts a 445 kW DC / 375 kW AC solar array spanning 2.2 acres, located adjacent to active crop production areas. Powering the system are three SMA Sunny Highpower PEAK3 inverters, selected for their exceptional reliability, high performance and flexible design. These are important features and qualities for agricultural solar projects where uptime and long-term durability are essential. Jake Marley, managing director of Hyperion Systems, explains that the choice came down to SMA’s “superior long-term quality compared to others on the market,” making the PEAK3 a perfect fit for the farms’ small, utility-scale solar needs.

The installation also includes 832 JA Solar modules mounted on single-axis trackers, following the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production. Single-axis trackers allow for optimal energy production without expanding the footprint of the array, maximizing solar yields per acre. Its raised design elevation also allows for more sunlight, airflow and machinery access for the crops. Rows are spaced 26 feet from post to post, allowing tractors and other farm equipment to move safely between them. Depending on the task, the equipment can typically make two to three passes between rows. Core farming activities such as tilling, subsoiling, spraying, harrowing and cultivation continue without interruption within the solar array.

In 2024, Czajkowski successfully harvested broccoli within the array area and plans to grow sweet corn this summer. This demonstrates a practical example of dual land use that supports both agriculture and renewable energy production. Joe Czajkowski’s Farm has been nominated for several awards in agrivoltaics including Project of the Year and Solar Farmer of the year at the 2024 Solar Farm Summit.

Superior long term quality compared to others on the market.

This project has been nominated for several agrivoltaic awards including agrivoltaic project of the year at Solar Farm Summit's 2024 conference. Joe was also nominated for agrivoltaic farmer of the year at the 2024 SFS conference.