Can Agrivoltaics Feed the World and Power It Too? 

The United Nations predicts that the world population will grow to 9.8 billion in the next 25 years (United Nations). This means that in 25 years, the world will have 1.8 billion more mouths to feed and lives to power. As climate change is expected to alter the way we farm, innovation is necessary to meet the demands of our growing population. Enter agrivoltaics, an opportunity to power and feed the world simultaneously! 

The Global Crisis of Land Use 

Agriculture and energy production both require relatively flat sites. Rather than competing for this area, can these entities be combined?

Agrivoltaics increases land productivity by generating food and energy simultaneously. Traditional development strategies have pitted these industries against each other, while recent innovations have found synergies when integrating these systems. 

Can Agrivoltaics Feed the World? 

National researchers have been studying the efficiency of agrivoltaic systems for the past century. In a previous blog post, 5 Crops That Thrive Under Solar Panels, we highlighted crop families that perform well in agrivoltaic settings. Shade provided by solar arrays decreases evapotranspiration, leading to increased water efficiency. Additionally, shade-loving crops, such as leafy greens, respond positively to agrivoltaic conditions. Deepening our understanding of these complex systems is crucial. A combination of use cases between smallholder farms and community-scale developments is necessary for wide-scale adoption and tangible benefits worldwide. 

Can It Power the World Too? 

A fraction of available crop land adapted to agrivoltaic development would meet the large energy demands of our growing society. A study from Oregon State University cited that 1% of farmland converted to agrivoltaics could supply the global energy demand (Adeh et al., 2019). Agrivoltaics promotes grid resilience, bringing locally generated and distributed energy to all communities, unlocking the ability to bring communities together. Local farms are not only bolstered under these systems but also allow them to become energy and food producers for their local economies. Refocusing our attention on farming communities, agrivoltaics powers them to be fully self-sufficient, feeding and powering families near and far.

Barriers and The Way Forward

Agrivoltaic development offers plentiful benefits once installed and functional; before that, several challenges may arise. Upfront costs and farmer skepticism can stop development before it has begun. To address these problems, general awareness is crucial; local, state, and federal organizations should raise awareness and help connect farmers to funding opportunities. Additional challenges include land-use regulations and policy gaps at the local and federal levels. To address these challenges, states and local counties should put forth the best guidelines for solar development on farmland. A path forward involves public-private working relationships, evaluation of pilot projects across all agricultural operations, and innovations for solar financing, particularly for those with tight capital margins. 

Next Steps

Agrivoltaics is not just a technical solution; it is a system-level rethink of how we value and use our land. Understanding the nuances of the agriculture and solar industries is paramount to developing sound and feasible projects. With the right vision and investment, agrivoltaics can be a keystone solution to both power and feed our growing planet. The sun harnesses the ability to sustain our green planet, and with the right minds, we can unlock the full potential of solar power! 

Interested in Agrivoltaics?

Spade Agrivoltaics can help you unlock the full potential of your agrivoltaic project! Our software and experience combined provide you:

• Shading impact analysis for your land (where shade will be experienced and how much)
• Model crop yield and water savings
• Evaluate energy performance
• Optimize system design for dual land use

Whether you're developing a new agrivoltaic array or transforming an existing solar array into a high-functioning agrivoltaic system, our team is here to help guide you every step of the way!

Together, let’s explore how agrivoltaics can work for you.

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Citations

Adeh, E. H., Good, S. P., Calaf, M., & Higgins, C. W. (2019). Solar PV Power Potential is Greatest Over Croplands. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47803-3

“World Population Projected to Reach 9.8 Billion in 2050, and 11.2 Billion in 2100.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/en/desa/world-population-projected-reach-98-billion-2050-and-112-billion-2100. Accessed 29 July 2025.