Exploring the Economic Value of Solar vs. Agriculture Land Use

In July, Strategic Economic Research (SER) hosted a successful and well-attended webinar unpacking a question that’s top of mind for developers, policymakers, and communities across the country: 

Is solar a more economically valuable use of land than continued agricultural production? 

Led by SER team members Sawyer Keithley and Bryan Loomis, the webinar introduced attendees to our revamped Land Use Analysis Report, a report designed to provide clear, data-driven comparisons between solar energy development and traditional farming. As the tension between solar expansion and agricultural preservation continues to rise in permitting discussions, our analysis equips developers with an in depth analysis to share with the community and stakeholders, so they are able to make informed, community-centered decision. 

What the Webinar Covered: 

The presentation walked through key components of the analysis, including side-by-side simulations comparing solar lease income to potential agricultural profits, calculations showing what crop prices or yields would be needed to match solar returns, and the net economic impacts of each land use. It also included projections showing that, in most regions, technological improvements in farming can offset reduced acreage, restoring agricultural output within 0–3 years. Additional insights included analysis of prime farmland designations, solar siting conditions like grid access and solar irradiance, and common end uses for crops, highlighting the rising role of biofuels.