How Solar Farms Support Soil Health and Agriculture

By Andi Anderson

As solar farms expand across the Midwest, many farmers wonder how they affect soil health. Research shows that solar developments can actually improve soil quality, making land more productive over time.

How Solar Panels Benefit Soil

Traditional farming practices like tillage and heavy fertilizer use can deplete organic matter, reducing soil fertility. Solar farms give agricultural land a temporary rest, allowing organic matter to rebuild. Panels provide shade, leading to cooler soil temperatures and better water retention, which reduces erosion and improves microbial diversity.

Native vegetation is often planted beneath solar panels, increasing soil health while providing a habitat for pollinators. A Minnesota study found that solar farms planted with native plants showed significant improvements in biodiversity and soil stability.

Agrivoltaics: Farming and Solar Together

Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining agriculture with solar energy, is gaining popularity. The most common approach is sheep grazing under solar panels, which can increase organic matter by 200% in under seven years. Crops such as melons, lettuce, pumpkins, and grapes have also thrived in solar farms, with Purdue University studying corn production under raised panels.

Solar Farms Are Temporary, Not Permanent

Most solar leases last 20 to 30 years, meaning land can return to farming with improved soil health. These farms act as a "land bank," allowing soil to recover while still being productive.

Programs like the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) help farmers adopt solar energy while preserving farmland. Supporting such initiatives ensures both sustainable energy and agriculture continue to thrive.

Photo Credit: istock-shansekala