Instead of choosing between food production and electricity generation, farmers could potentially benefit from both, as confirmed by a new study from Michigan State University.
It is not necessary to convert entire arable lands into solar farms; instead, panels can be strategically placed on lower-yield sections of fields. This approach helps preserve agricultural production, conserve water, and enhance farmers’ financial stability. Additionally, the panels can be installed in specific ways—elevated or spaced out—to allow more light to reach the crops while still generating electricity.
The study, published on the Michigan State University website and conducted by doctoral student Jake Stid, analyzed the effects of combining solar panels with crop production using satellite imagery and land-use data spanning the past 25 years in California. His research revealed that farmers who allocated part of their land to solar panels were more financially stable per acre than those who either solely farmed or fully converted their land to solar use.
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Stid and his team utilized previously published data on solar panel distribution in California, cross-referenced with crop prices, cultivation costs, and electricity revenues to calculate the profitability of different land-use models. Their findings indicate that the combined approach is the most economically resilient.
Rather than viewing agriculture and solar energy as mutually exclusive, the research proposes a collaborative model—where solar panels and crops coexist on the same land. In this model, a smaller portion of the field is dedicated to solar installations, while the majority remains in use for planting. This enables farmers to generate additional income from electricity sales, while also reducing costs related to irrigation, fertilizers, and agricultural equipment. The panels can also reduce evaporation and shield the soil from extreme weather conditions.
At a time when both the agriculture and energy sectors are facing shared challenges—from climate disruptions to rising costs—the synergy between these sectors offers a promising path forward.
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