Integrating Solar Energy and Conservation to Support Resilient Agricultural Landscapes

Abstract

Across the globe, agricultural systems face intensifying economic, ecological, and societal pressures as climate change accelerates soil degradation, production risks, and destabilizes rural livelihoods. In the United States (US), small family farms are operating on increasingly thin margins as net-zero energy commitments accelerate ground-based solar deployment, amplifying concerns over competition for limited agricultural land. By intentionally integrating ecological principles into solar siting, ecovoltaics can, under appropriate design and management conditions, restore biodiversity, improve soil health, and enhance water retention while generating renewable energy. These multifunctional landscapes can offer small family farmers stable off-farm income, potentially reducing financial vulnerability and supporting farmland preservation. Coupled with intentional policies, ecovoltaics can diversify rural tax bases, providing predictable revenue streams for essential services while reducing dependence on volatile industries. We argue that rather than viewing solar as a potential threat to agricultural communities, policymakers should consider it one of many potential tools for building resilience by advancing net-zero goals while simultaneously revitalizing rural communities and regenerating degraded ecosystems.