Loss of farmland to solar voltaic? it’s a problem! solutions? Please advise!
A bit of background. Here in upstate New York there has been considerable development of solar projects such projects cover farmland in solar panels on stands. This reduces the amount of land available for agriculture. Less produce and grazing land increases food prices. Less supply same demand.
Anyway I’ve been proposing the following solution since a project I did in sophomore year of college.
Farmland (soil) is needed for food production. Farmland is in short supply (in New York State so is electricity(seasonally).
Humans continue to build buildings reducing the amount of arable land while increasing demand for electricity.
Solution cover existing structures with solar panels; preserve undeveloped land for farming. SOLAR ROOFS!
Duh! Also SOLAR ROADWAYS.
Food prices are continuing to increase because of less arable land. Farmland is being converted to solar farms at an increasing rate. We need more food more than we need more electricity.
Humanity survived for millennia without any electricity. Generally civilization collapse entirely without food within 40 years.
Priorities priorities
An additional solution is converting land between highways into farmland and/or renewable energy generation.
The world needs new approaches it’s not an either or it’s a meet both needs without compromising on either.
Anyway I’ve been proposing the following solution since a project I did in sophomore year of college.
Farmland (soil) is needed for food production. Farmland is in short supply (in New York State so is electricity(seasonally).
Humans continue to build buildings reducing the amount of arable land while increasing demand for electricity.
Solution cover existing structures with solar panels; preserve undeveloped land for farming. SOLAR ROOFS!
Duh! Also SOLAR ROADWAYS.
Food prices are continuing to increase because of less arable land. Farmland is being converted to solar farms at an increasing rate. We need more food more than we need more electricity.
Humanity survived for millennia without any electricity. Generally civilization collapse entirely without food within 40 years.
Priorities priorities
An additional solution is converting land between highways into farmland and/or renewable energy generation.
The world needs new approaches it’s not an either or it’s a meet both needs without compromising on either.



