Dual Land Use: Solar Panels and Crops Together May Offer Optimal Farm Profits

A new study from Michigan State University suggests that integrating solar panel arrays into farmland—while continuing crop production—may be more economically beneficial than dedicating land solely to agriculture or solar energy.

By analyzing 25 years of remote sensing data and agricultural revenue from California, researchers found that farmers who installed solar panels on low-yield farmland achieved greater economic stability per unit area compared to those who relied entirely on crops or converted their land exclusively to solar energy. Published in Nature Sustainability, the study offers a promising alternative for farmers under economic pressure.

California, a leader in both agricultural output and solar energy development, faces mounting challenges from extreme weather and resource competition. In response, some farmers are adopting a "co-location" model—strategically integrating solar infrastructure into active farmland to balance energy generation and food production.

The research team estimated that if all land currently used for solar installations were instead farmed, it could feed an additional 86,000 people. However, the co-location model allows farmers to reduce inputs like water and fertilizer while generating electricity revenue, helping to offset potential crop yield reductions. Solar arrays may also lower irrigation needs, easing local water stress.