"Free Fuel": How Solar is Powering America's Farmers

“It’s like having our best corn crop we could ever have for 30 years. I don’t believe that we’re giving up America’s farmland. We’re harvesting sunlight for energy.”

In this video, three Indiana farmers tell the stories of how their operations have benefited from hosting solar projects on their land, allowing them to continue farming and preserve their way of life for future generations.

Norm equates solar energy to a crop that can be harvested daily year-round, describing the sun as “free fuel.” He shares his perspective that solar “is a good way to preserve the family farm for future generations.”

Billy takes the analogy further, saying “It’s like having our best corn crop every year for 30 years.” He echoes that farmers with solar are “harvesting sunlight” for energy, saying he doesn’t believe landowners who host solar projects are “giving up America’s farmland.” Billy believes that putting solar on his farm will open opportunities for his granddaughter and future generations to continue farming their family’s land.

Greg is a longtime player in the farm-to-table movement, who sees solar energy as an opportunity to “drastically change the economics of [his] farm.” Greg’s sheep often graze and control vegetation on solar project sites, a win-win that farmers have found keeps their livestock healthy and fed.