Across the United States, many rural communities have deep roots in agriculture and a long history of using the land to generate value. Often, these places are also attractive to companies seeking locations to build solar farms. But is a solar farm really farming? And how does solar interact with other agricultural activities like growing crops and ranching?
Whether you raise crops or livestock, farming is about turning the sun's energy into products that are useful to humans. Solar farming is no different – and with 30-40% of U.S. corn going to ethanol, many farmers are already in the energy business.
What's more, solar farming is a much more efficient way to produce energy – researchers have shown that solar panels can produce much more energy from an acre of land used for solar than from an acre of land used to grow corn for ethanol. In fact, it’s been estimated that an electric vehicle can be driven 70 times farther using the electricity produced by solar panels than if the same amount of land were used to grow corn for ethanol.
"Looking to the future, conservative estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office are that by 2035, solar could provide 40% of all U.S. electricity using just 0.3% of available land."
A common misconception is that solar projects use a lot of land, and don’t produce much power – but neither of these things is true. In terms of total land use, existing solar facilities only occupy a tiny fraction of land compared to the amount of land used by urban development, whether that’s cities and towns, recreational facilities like golf courses, or infrastructure like roads and airports.
Looking to the future, conservative estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office are that by 2035, solar could provide 40% of all U.S. electricity using just 0.3% of available land. More aggressive estimates, which take into account the fact that solar technologies continue to improve and become even more powerful and efficient, suggest that the entire country – including approximately 141 million homes – could be run on solar panels occupying a total of about 10,000 square miles. That’s roughly the size of Lake Erie, the second smallest of the Great Lakes, and less than one-half of one percent of the total land area in the contiguous United States.[1]
"Hosting solar panels is a way to rest the soil and restore its natural fertility."
Another concern is that solar projects will take productive farmland out of use, but fortunately, there is no evidence to suggest this is occurring. Land is a farmer’s most valuable resource, and every farmer is keenly aware of how to earn the most income from their land. It doesn’t make economic sense to take highly productive farmland out of use for solar, but for less productive land, hosting solar panels can provide a much-needed source of predictable, drought- and weather-resistant income that can help stabilize finances and give farmers the breathing room they need to invest in equipment and property improvements.
Land that has been farmed for years or even decades can become depleted, requiring ever-increasing amounts of fertilizer to be productive. Hosting solar panels is a way to rest the soil and restore its natural fertility. The land on which a solar project is sited can be planted with perennial cover crops that will enhance soil quality by increasing nitrogen retention and organic carbon – crucial for crop and grass growth. Furthermore, leaving land fallow reduces phosphorus levels in groundwater, nitrate-nitrogen runoff, and erosion, thereby supporting the long-term vitality of the soil.
Many solar projects are also suitable for “agrovoltaics,” which as the name implies combines solar energy generation with compatible agricultural activities such as growing hay or grazing sheep. Project sites can also be planted with pollinator-friendly ground to improve the health of the local ecosystem while also boosting yields in neighboring crops.
Solar facilities require minimal water during construction and operations, making them an ideal choice in regions with limited water resources. Once a solar project is built, allowing vegetation to grow under the arrays in a managed way helps with water retention and limits runoff after big rain events, thus conserving a vital resource. Studies have shown that sediment export is significantly lower and water retention is higher on land where solar panels are installed compared to land that is actively being farmed.
"In the heart of America's rural communities, where agriculture is often a way of life, solar energy is emerging as a new source of economic prosperity."
Hosting solar panels offers farmers and their families a predictable source of income they can rely on. Many farmers credit the additional revenue they receive from lease payments for keeping them afloat in lean years and say solar made it possible for them to keep their farms.
Perhaps one of the greatest – and frequently overlooked – benefits of solar farms is their reversibility. Unlike other forms of development, solar facilities can be removed at the end of their operational lives, allowing the land to return to agricultural use. This aspect is crucial in preserving land for future generations who may wish to continue farming.
In the heart of America's rural communities, where agriculture is often a way of life, solar energy is emerging as a new source of economic prosperity. This shift is about more than producing clean energy – it's about sustaining and enhancing the agricultural way of life for generations to come.
By embracing solar energy, rural agricultural communities are contributing to the nation's energy independence while also conserving their land and preserving their way of life for future generations. This synergy between solar energy and agriculture is a shining example of how innovation and tradition can work hand in hand to create a brighter, more sustainable future.
[1] The total land area in the U.S. is 2,959,064 square miles. 10,000 square miles is 0.34%, or one-third of one percent, of this area.
Renewable energy projects, particularly solar and wind farms, have become a significant part of the landscape in many communities, raising questions about their impact on property values. Fortunately, extensive research and studies show that these projects usually have a neutral or positive effect on home and land values.
