Size of photovoltaic panels installed by farmers

Yes, you can install solar panels on farmland, and it's becoming a popular choice for farmers who want to diversify their income while embracing renewable energy. Agricultural solar panel installations are often referred to as “solar farms” or “agrivoltaics” (combining agriculture and photovoltaics).

Look for Solar PV panels with higher efficiency ratings to maximize energy production, especially in areas where sunlight may be limited. Agricultural land is often subject to exposure from weather, livestock, and machinery, so it's important to select durable, reliable solar panels.

A 1 MW solar farm system can supply enough power to meet the annual energy needs of a farm with approximately 600,000 kWh of usage dependent on parameters. A 12 MW solar farm can power about 1,000 homes, ideal for a small community. An acre of land can support around 300 kW peak of PV solar capacity.

It is critical to choose shade-tolerant crops as solar panels shade the crops. Leafy greens, herbs, and some vegetables are best. Ground-mounted agrivoltaic systems' solar panel foundations can suffer from excessive soil moisture. Succulents and other crops with low water requirements can be chosen to avoid stability problems .

Farmers can benefit from solar energy in several ways—by leasing farmland for solar; installing a solar system on a house, barn, or other building; or through agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is defined as agriculture, such as crop production, livestock grazing, and pollinator habitat, located underneath solar panels and/or between rows of solar panels.

Depending on the lease terms, ground-mounted solar may or may not be allowed on the site. If it is allowed and current farming operations are suitable for a ground-mounted solar PV array or if unused land exists, ground-mounted solar PV may be an option. How can I reduce soil compaction when installing ground-mounted solar panels?