Is Biofuel Land Better Used for Solar?

A recent study suggests that land currently used for biofuels, particularly corn ethanol, could be more effectively utilized for solar energy production or food crops. This shift could potentially increase energy output and address concerns regarding food security.

Agrivoltaics, which involves combining solar farms with agriculture, presents a sustainable approach where crops benefit from shade and solar panels benefit from cooling, leading to enhanced overall efficiency.

By converting even a small portion of the land currently designated for corn ethanol to solar farms, there could be a substantial increase in solar energy contributions to the US energy mix while also alleviating ecological pressures. This shift is especially crucial as the demand for land increases with the expansion of solar and wind farms in the clean energy transition worldwide.

According to a report from McKinsey & Company, utility-scale solar and wind farms require significantly more land compared to traditional power plants. This demand for land suitable for renewable energy projects often overlaps with land suitable for agriculture, sparking debates around balancing food security and energy security.

Studies indicate that a substantial amount of agricultural land is used for biofuel production rather than food production, posing a greater threat to food security. Solar farms are highlighted as a more efficient alternative to corn ethanol, and the integration of solar panels with agricultural practices can further enhance efficiency through a system known as “agrivoltalics” or “ecovoltaics.”

Research published in PNAS proposes that converting a fraction of current corn-for-ethanol farmland to solar farms could significantly boost solar energy output while mitigating ecological stresses on the land. This transition, if responsibly planned and implemented, could enhance the share of solar energy in the US energy mix from 3.9% to 13%.

Furthermore, reallocating lands currently used for biofuels to food production could make a substantial impact on food security. In Europe, it has been found that the land area used for biofuels could potentially feed 120 million people daily, emphasizing the importance of efficient land use for renewable energies or food production.

Balancing the interplay between food and energy security is intricate, but evidence continues to support the notion that biofuel production frequently underutilizes land that could be better utilized for renewable energy or food production for human consumption.