The agriculture industry has always depended on natural resources, but today’s farmers are finding new ways to harness one of the most powerful ones—sunlight. As operational costs rise, particularly those related to electricity, solar energy is emerging as a practical and profitable solution for farms of all sizes. When properly installed and integrated, solar panels can help stabilize energy expenses, improve sustainability, and even contribute back to the power grid.

The Connection Between Solar Energy and Agriculture

Farms consume a significant amount of electricity for irrigation systems, refrigeration, heating and cooling in livestock buildings, lighting, and equipment charging. These energy-intensive demands often leave farms vulnerable to fluctuating utility rates. Integrating solar energy into agriculture offers a solution that turns unused roof or land space into an energy-generating asset.

In most cases, barns, storage buildings, and even machine sheds offer ideal roof real estate for solar panel installation. These structures often have large, unobstructed, south-facing surfaces that allow maximum sun exposure. Even better, solar panels placed on rooftops preserve valuable cropland, helping farms maintain or expand their production capacity without sacrificing usable land.

Benefits of Solar Panels for Farms

One of the most immediate and noticeable benefits of solar panels for farms is cost savings. Depending on the size of the system and available sunlight, many farms can cut their electric bills dramatically, sometimes by thousands of dollars each month. These savings not only relieve financial pressure but can also make other improvements or expansions possible.

Solar panels also help insulate farms from volatile energy prices. Rather than relying on a third-party provider, farms that generate their own power enjoy predictable energy costs, making long-term planning more feasible. In many cases, excess energy can be sold back to the grid, creating an additional stream of income or credit.

Some solar panel systems are designed to be bifacial, which means they capture sunlight from both sides of the panel. These are particularly effective in agricultural settings where reflective surfaces, such as metal roofs or light-colored ground, can bounce additional light onto the panels. This can improve efficiency without increasing the system’s footprint.

There are also structural benefits to rooftop installations. Properly installed solar panels can shield roofing materials from the elements, extending the life of the roof and reducing maintenance needs. While land-based systems remain an option, rooftop solar installations tend to be more cost-effective by 5–10%, thanks to reduced materials and land preparation costs.

Solar panels can have a daunting upfront cost for materials and installation; however, many states and utilities offer financial programs to offset the costs. In terms of return on investment, many farms see payback periods of around 10 years, after which the systems often continue to operate efficiently for another 10 to 20 years. This extended lifespan means farmers can benefit from a decade or more of virtually free electricity.

Case Study: Shelmar Acres in Mount Joy, PA

Faced with skyrocketing electricity costs, owners of Shelmar Acres, Mitch and Heather Shellenberger, made the decision in 2023 to install solar panels on one of their hog barns. The timing wasn’t ideal, their affordable electric rate contract had just expired, and prices were set to double or even triple. Rather than absorb the financial hit, the Shellenbergers turned to solar energy as a long-term investment.

The installation was a business decision, not just an environmental one. After seeing immediate success with their first set of panels, they outfitted two more barns. Today, their monthly electric bills have dropped from several thousand dollars to just a few hundred. The remaining balance covers distribution fees, even though their system generates enough power for nearly 9,000 hogs, hundreds of cattle, over 200 acres of cropland, and their household. In fact, they often generate excess electricity and send it back to the grid for credit.

A Sustainable Future for Agriculture

The overlap of solar energy and agriculture represents a powerful opportunity to build a more resilient and efficient farming industry. By converting existing roof space into energy-producing infrastructure, farmers can take control of their energy expenses, reduce their carbon footprint, and contribute to a more sustainable grid. As more farms embrace the sun, the benefits of solar panels for farms become increasingly clear, not just as an environmental win, but as a smart business strategy.

Click here to read the full article, originally published April 2, 2025, by Lancaster Farming.