Southwest Solar: Powering Homes & Farms
Farming Under the Sun: Agrivoltaics Offers a Climate-Resilient Future for the Southwest
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The scorching sun beating down on the Southwest, a region grappling with escalating temperatures and dwindling water resources, might seem like an unlikely ally for agriculture. Yet, a pioneering practice known as agrivoltaics is emerging as a beacon of hope, demonstrating how integrating solar energy generation with farming can create a more sustainable and resilient food system.
university of Arizona researcher Greg Barron-Gafford paints a vivid picture of its potential: “We were getting basil leaves the size of your palm,” he exclaimed, describing the remarkable benefits his team has observed while cultivating crops under solar panels in the arid Tucson desert.
For over a decade, Barron-Gafford has been at the forefront of agrivoltaics, a concept that marries solar arrays with active farmland.This innovative approach involves growing crops, or even planting pollinator-friendly vegetation, beneath solar panels, and in some instances, allowing livestock to graze on the greenery. While still a nascent field, the growth is undeniable, with at least 604 agrivoltaic sites now established across the United States, according to data from Open.
A Dual Solution for a Warming World
Proponents of agrivoltaics, like Barron-Gafford, believe this practice offers a powerful dual benefit: generating clean, carbon-free electricity while simultaneously providing a much-needed lifeline for agriculture in an increasingly challenging climate. The shade cast by solar arrays has been scientifically shown to considerably reduce irrigation needs and mitigate the detrimental effects of heat stress on crops.
“You can quickly see how this solution for our changing climate of switching to more renewable energy is itself sensitive to the changing climate,” Barron-Gafford points out. This paradox is particularly acute in the Southwest, where historically high temperatures are relentlessly climbing. Tucson, for example, endured a record-breaking 112 days of triple-digit heat in 2024, according to National Weather Service data. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency further highlights this trend, reporting that every part of the Southwest experienced higher average temperatures between 2000 and 2023 compared to the long-term average from 1895 to 2023.
Enhancing Solar Efficiency Through Agriculture
Beyond the direct benefits to crops, the synergy extends to the solar panels themselves. The cooling effect generated by the plants growing beneath the arrays can actually enhance the efficiency of the photovoltaic cells. Solar panels operate optimally at around 75° Fahrenheit; beyond this threshold, their efficiency diminishes. By creating a cooler microclimate, agrivoltaic systems help the panels perform closer to their peak capacity, a crucial advantage in regions prone to extreme heat.
Despite the compelling advantages, the widespread adoption of agrivoltaics faces certain obstacles. Shifting established farming practices and overcoming ingrained attitudes among some farmers remain key challenges. Moreover, securing adequate funding for these integrated systems can be a complex undertaking.
Though, as the realities of climate change intensify and the need for sustainable solutions becomes more urgent, agrivoltaics is poised to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of both energy production and agriculture in the American Southwest and beyond.
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This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news institution that covers climate, energy, and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here.*