Impacts of agrisolar co-location on the food–energy–water nexus and economic security

Jacob T. Stid (), Siddharth Shukla, Anthony D. Kendall, Annick Anctil, David W. Hyndman, Jeremy Rapp and Robert P. Anex
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Jacob T. Stid: Michigan State University
Siddharth Shukla: Michigan State University
Anthony D. Kendall: Michigan State University
Annick Anctil: Michigan State University
David W. Hyndman: The University of Texas at Dallas
Jeremy Rapp: Michigan State University
Robert P. Anex: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nature Sustainability, 2025, vol. 8, issue 6, 702-713

Abstract: Abstract Understanding how solar PV installations affect the landscape and its critical resources is crucial to achieve sustainable net-zero energy production. To enhance this understanding, we investigate the consequences of converting agricultural fields to solar photovoltaic installations, which we refer to as ‘agrisolar’ co-location. We present a food, energy, water and economic impact analysis of agricultural output offset by agrisolar co-location for 925 arrays (2.53 GWp covering 3,930 ha) spanning the California Central Valley. We find that agrisolar co-location displaces food production but increases economic security and water sustainability for farmers. Given the unprecedented pace of solar PV expansion globally, these results highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the multifaceted outcomes of agricultural and solar PV co-location decisions.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01546-4

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