Madhu Khanna Featured in WSJ Report on Agrivoltaics: Weighing the Benefits and Costs of Combining Solar Power with Farming

As solar farms expand, concerns arise about displacing farmland. A potential solution is agrivoltaics. In Ohio, a significant project has started combining row crops with solar panels, showcasing this dual-use approach.

In Illinois, they explored our SCAPES project and inquired about the economic aspects of agrivoltaics by asking Madhu Khanna about optimizing combined yield.

But “the cost of the panels really goes up exponentially as the height goes up,” Khanna explained.

While agrivoltaics has promise, it remains a niche—only about 1% of solar power comes from these sites. Critics argue some projects may be more about public relations than genuine farming benefits. Researchers are exploring designs that enhance both crop yields and solar efficiency, like “anti-tracking” panels that can provide shade and protect crops.

To learn more, follow this link: Wall Street Journal Article

Despite the innovation, economic factors often favor leasing land for standalone solar projects rather than agrivoltaics. Many developers express skepticism about the feasibility of large-scale agrivoltaics, although interest is growing, particularly in areas where farmland is flat and accessible.

“From an economic perspective, the leases for solar farming are three to four times higher than for crop production,” Khanna said. “For now, if that was the only motivation, then it would be hard for agrivoltaics to compete with solar alone under current pricing conditions.”

Globally, regulations are evolving; for instance, some European countries restrict solar farm development on agricultural land. As the U.S. market adapts, advancements in flexible solar technology could further support the integration of solar energy and farming.

For further details, read the article here: Wall Street Journal Article