Solar energy development on farmland: Three prevalent perspectives of conflict, synergy and compromise in the United States

Goldberg, Zachary

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2023.103145

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Thereby, to address and reconcile food and energy security, it's crucial to clarify the global expansion of PV installations and their impact on food resources. Despite previous research on exploring global PV solar gensets, solar power potential, as well as associated environmental issues 4,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] , technical difficulties in global assessment have impeded our further understanding on PV development and effects worldwide. Additionally, an evaluation identified the highest solar power potential on cropland 23 , making it more urgent to explore the conflicts and trade-offs between PV power generation and food production in the context of increasing global food insecurity and energy demand.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trading Food for Energy? Global Evidence of Solar Projects Undermining Food Security

He,

Yang,

Xiao

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The rapid growth of photovoltaic (PV) power generation is recognized as a key solution for climate mitigation and future energy demands. However, this expansion often involves significant land use, particularly on croplands, which leads to conflicts over land use and poses hidden threats to food supply. Addressing the dual challenges of food insecurity and energy demand necessitates a thorough analysis of the global impact of solar projects on cropland and food production. Here, we examine the spatiotemporal footprint of PV installations on cropland and associated food production losses; through revealing the trade-offs between energy and food, we forecast the future energy threat to food security under various scenarios. Findings indicate an exponential increase of PV installations on cropland, covering 1372 km2 or 27% of PV facilities by 2018, with over a third situated on high-yield field. The proportion of cropland occupied fluctuates and peaks at 61% in 2007, while the hotspots shift towards higher quality cropland. Food production losses from this trend reach ~4 petacalories in 2018, an amount capable of feeding 4.3 million people for a year, about one third is attributed to China’s surge in PV power. Projections up to 2050 suggest that annual food losses will escalate to ~62 petacalories, a 20,000-fold increase from 2003. Whereas implementing area- and cost-based interventions regarding PV deployment is expected to bend the food loss curve by 47% and 25%, respectively. This study presents a first global analysis of the conflicts between solar power generation and food production, alongside favorable insights for reconciling food and energy security.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trading Food for Energy? Global Evidence of Solar Projects Undermining Food Security

He,

Yang,

Xiao

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…In US, standard fixed PVs have been estimated to be 44% of total solar energy plants in 2012 [12]. Therefore, there is a wide interest to also integrate such PV plants with agricultural activities, and one of the prevailing perspectives is considered the co-location of energy and food production, such as cultivating crops in the corridors between the PV modules' rows [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a Photovoltaic Plant on Microclimate and Crops’ Growth in a Mediterranean Area

Fagnano,

Fiorentino,

Visconti

et al. 2024

Agronomy

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The effects of the co-location of energy production from a photovoltaic (PV) plant and aromatic crops (thyme, oregano, and Greek mountain tea) in a hot and dry environment have been investigated in Enel Green Power PV plant located in Kourtesi (Greece). The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the PV plant on microclimate, on soil temperature and water potential, and on the crops’ growth in a testing area (the corridors between two modules rows) compared to a full sunlight control area. The net radiation and of the wind speed recorded in the testing area showed a 44% and 38% reduction respectively, compared to the control area, while air temperature and relative humidity did not show any difference. Among crop/soil monitored parameters, cumulative reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and the average soil temperature were found 29% and 8% lower in the testing area, conversely the soil water potential (SWP) was 34% higher compared to control area. No significant differences in the plant growth have been detected between testing and control areas, except for oregano whose weight was higher in testing area. The results suggest that in hot and dry climatic conditions, the reduction of climatic stress could compensate the decrease of photosynthesis due to the shading effect of the PV modules, thus not damaging crops’ growth.

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“…In contrast to other energy production technologies that have fewer space demands, solar energy relies on the availability of large spaces for the installation of panels. Being impressively flat and exposed to uninhibited sunlight, farmland offers excellent conditions for developing solar energy and has become a primary target for solar developers [1,2]. Another advantage of farmland is that it is free of 'nuisances' such as infrastructures, trees, wetlands and rocks, which may be present in other types of land.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another advantage of farmland is that it is free of 'nuisances' such as infrastructures, trees, wetlands and rocks, which may be present in other types of land. From investors' perspective, farmland is considered one of the most appropriate installation sites and has been transformed into a strong component in decision-making regarding the uses of agricultural land [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The installation of solar energy on farmland has been following an increasing trend to the degree that it has been characterized by some proponents as "just another crop" [2]. Farmers' positive response to the concept of "farming the sun instead of the land" is largely attributed to the benefits flowing from investments in photovoltaics on farmland [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Machine Learning Approach for Investment Analysis in Renewable Energy Sources: A Case Study in Photovoltaic Farms

Ioannou,

Karasmanaki,

Sfiri

et al. 2023

Energies

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Farmland offers excellent conditions for developing solar energy while farmers seem to appreciate its notable revenues. The increasing adoption of photovoltaics (PVs) on farmland raises various concerns with the most important being the loss of productive farmland and the increased farmland prices, which may prevent young farmers from entering the farming occupation. The latter can threaten the future of agriculture in countries that are already facing the problem of rural population ageing. The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of crop type on farmers’ willingness to install photovoltaics on their farmland. To that end, this study applies four machine learning (ML) algorithms (categorical regression, decision trees and random forests, support vector machines) on a dataset obtained from a questionnaire survey on farmers in a Greek agricultural area. The results from the application of the algorithms allowed us to quantify and relate farmers’ willingness to invest in PVs with three major crop types (cotton, wheat, sunflower) which play a very important role in food security. Results also provide support for making policy interventions by defining the rate of productive farmland for photovoltaics and also for designing policies to support farmers to start and maintain farming operations.

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Solar energy development on farmland: Three prevalent perspectives of conflict, synergy and compromise in the United States

Cited by 17 publications

References 75 publications

Trading Food for Energy? Global Evidence of Solar Projects Undermining Food Security

Trading Food for Energy? Global Evidence of Solar Projects Undermining Food Security

Effects of a Photovoltaic Plant on Microclimate and Crops’ Growth in a Mediterranean Area

A Machine Learning Approach for Investment Analysis in Renewable Energy Sources: A Case Study in Photovoltaic Farms

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