Should Farmland Grow Crops, Host Solar Panels - or Do Both?

With growing needs for both renewable energy and food production, experts are debating whether farmland should focus solely on crops, be used for solar panel installations, or combine both through agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics, the practice of integrating solar panels with crop cultivation, offers a potential solution, allowing farmers to produce food while generating clean energy. This approach could address environmental concerns and support sustainable agriculture while meeting increasing energy and food demands.

As farmers debate the use of land for agriculture versus solar panels, new research from Michigan State University suggests that the solution could be a combination of both.

Jake Stid, a graduate student at MSU’s College of Natural Science, analyzed aerial imagery and remote sensing data to examine how California’s fields have been utilized over the past 25 years. By assessing revenue and cost data, Stid discovered that farmers who allocated a small portion of their land for solar panels were financially better off per acre than those who didn't.

His findings, now published in Nature Sustainability, could offer a new path to financial stability for farmers facing economic challenges. Instead of converting entire fields to solar farms, Stid hopes his research will encourage farmers to maintain crop production by strategically installing solar arrays on lower-yield areas of their land.

"The discussion should shift from choosing between solar or agriculture to considering how both can coexist," Stid explained. "They can work together as a partnership, not a rivalry."

Stid’s interest in solar panels began while working in the lab of Anthony Kendall, an assistant professor at MSU and co-author of the study. Kendall encouraged Stid to explore solar panel locations using Google Earth Engine, which led to Stid’s focus on the California region, a leader in both agriculture and solar energy.

As climate change intensifies, alternative energy sources like solar have gained prominence to reduce carbon emissions. This shift raises concerns about potential reductions in food production, particularly with a growing global population.

To address these concerns, some farmers have adopted the practice of colocation, where solar arrays are installed alongside crops to optimize land use.

Stid aimed to analyze the financial impact of colocation compared to traditional solar farms, where entire fields are converted to solar panels, versus farms that focus solely on agriculture.

"We're taking a balanced approach by examining both the advantages and challenges, to better understand how land is used and how to plan for the future," Stid stated.

The research team used previously published data from Stid’s 2022 study on solar panel locations in California, combined with crop cost studies, crop prices, and water fees, to model the potential benefits for farmers. They calculated how much solar electricity production could offset farming costs by selling energy to the grid.

The results supported their hypothesis - farmers who integrated solar panels into their land had greater financial stability. These farmers spent less on farming inputs like water and fertilizer, while the income from solar energy helped compensate for any reduction in crop yields. They also likely saved water by reducing irrigation needs, benefiting the drought-prone area.

"If I’m a farmer, I know that the two acres with solar panels will generate steady income throughout the year," Stid said. "I won’t have to worry about unpredictable weather or fluctuating yields."

Looking forward, Stid plans to extend his research across the U.S. and explore other environmental effects of solar arrays. He hopes this work will contribute to discussions about land use in agriculture and the role of solar in supporting sustainable food production.

Stid believes that strategically placed solar arrays could create more resilient agricultural landscapes, benefiting a wider range of people and making a positive impact on both food systems and renewable energy.

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Source: sciencedaily‍