Installing solar power generation on arable land

Can solar panels be installed on agricultural land?

The PV development has extensive space requirements, complicated by the increasing competition for land due to rising population growth and food demand. By installing solar panels on agricultural land, agrivoltaic (APV) offers a resource-efficient solution to the persistent problem of competition for arable lands.

Should solar energy be located on farmland?

Locating solar energy on farmland could significantly increase the available land for solar development, while maintaining land in agricultural production and expanding economic opportunities for farmers, rural communities, and the solar industry.

Can you build a solar farm on agricultural land?

While obtaining planning consent for ground-mounted solar farms on agricultural land can be challenging – Andrew Shirley, our Head of Rural Research, advises it can “easily take ten years to get a scheme off the ground” - rural properties often feature large barns with roofs suitable for solar panel installations.

Should agricultural land be converted to solar energy?

When considering the transition of agricultural land to solar energy production, each landowner must evaluate its feasibility. Higher revenue on a per acre basis does not always guarantee greater profit. Factors such as higher expenses, future land use, and opportunity costs may offset any potential profits.

Should land use be transferred to solar panels?

The decision to transfer agricultural land use to solar panel electrical production (solar farms) should be made by careful examination of immediate and long-term potential risks and benefits.

How do you Adapt A solar installation for agrivoltaics?

Another common way to adapt the design of a solar installation for agrivoltaics is to increase the spacing between panels and between rows, which allows for additional sunlight to reach the crops and increases the accessibility of the site to equipment.