Study from University of Arkansas Reveals Minimal Impact of Solar Energy on Agriculture
Recent research from the University of Arkansas indicates that the expansion of solar energy infrastructure will have a negligible effect on agricultural land use across the state. With rural communities expressing concerns over solar farming replacing crop production, Michael Popp, an agriculture economics and business professor, and his team conducted a comprehensive analysis, concluding that solar projects will only occupy a small fraction of Arkansas farmland.
The study found that by the end of 2026, only between 22,000 and 35,000 acres—about 0.2% of Arkansas’ farmland—will be needed for solar energy production. Even in a hypothetical scenario where solar capacity reaches 15,000 megawatts, it would still account for less than 1% of the state’s 13.7 million acres of agricultural land.
The report highlights the economic benefits of solar leases for farmers, which can yield up to $2,500 per acre annually. These arrangements can facilitate dual use of land through agrivoltaics, allowing for livestock grazing or, in some cases, traditional crop production alongside solar energy generation.
The study also noted the emerging potential of floating solar systems that integrate with irrigation practices, enabling farmers to cultivate crops while harnessing solar energy simultaneously. As solar installations have increased, so too has Arkansas’s renewable energy dependency, with about 9% of the state’s energy needs sourced from renewables in 2023.
Despite some setbacks in residential and commercial solar growth due to revised state regulations, the research suggests that solar energy can offer significant economic opportunities for landowners without jeopardizing agricultural viability. Overall, Popp and his colleagues assert that solar energy development presents a promising avenue for income diversification in Arkansas agriculture.
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