A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and featured in Anthropocene Magazine delivers a compelling message: when it comes to using land to produce energy, solar power significantly outperforms corn-based bioenergy. Researchers find that it requires over 30 hectares of cornfields to generate the same amount of energy, in the form of ethanol, that just one hectare of photovoltaic (PV) panels can provide¹.
This has major implications for land use, especially as development faces growing pressure from population growth and environmental degradation. Unlike corn production, solar energy requires no fertilizer, herbicides, or irrigation—resources that are increasingly scarce or harmful when overused. The shift to solar not only increases energy yield per acre, but could free up land for other uses.
The benefits of replacing corn with solar power extend well beyond land efficiency. Corn, while a crucial crop for human consumption and livestock feed, does little to support biodiversity, especially when grown in large monocultures. Corn is self-pollinating and is not considered a primary food source of pollinators. Additionally, the heavy use of pesticides in cornfields inadvertently kills off bees, butterflies, and other important insects. This lack of ecological refuge contributes to the decline of pollinators—many of which are already at risk of extinction from habitat loss and climate change².
Biodiversity Benefits From Solar; Dual Land Use
In response, stakeholders such as research institutions, private companies, and governmental organizations are promoting dual land use systems that combine pollinator-friendly habitats and solar arrays. By integrating native vegetation, these initiatives create new habitats for at-risk species, helping restore biodiversity³.
This is where vertical PV systems such as Sunzaun offer real, cutting-edge solutions. These upright solar structures allow sunlight to reach the ground between rows, making it possible for native vegetation and pollinator-friendly plants to thrive among them⁴. Additionally, cash crops such as strawberries, buckwheat, and flowering herbs have been found to perform well under solar arrays while supporting pollinators and soil health, providing additional income opportunities. These systems enable landowners to replace monoculture with multi-functional, living landscapes; a combination of clean energy production with ecological benefits.
A Sustainable Approach: The Future of Energy
Corn remains an essential crop for food and feed, thus its role in agriculture is not under debate. However, using corn to produce fuel is resource-intensive, particularly when better alternatives like solar power exist. By reducing our reliance on corn for energy and reserving farmland for food, we can strike a future-forward balance between energy needs and ecological wellbeing.
Research demonstrates that PV infrastructure can enhance, rather than displace, natural systems. As the climate crisis intensifies and agricultural pressures mount, the smartest path forward is one that balances our energy demands with sustainability. Vertical PV systems promote a more regenerative, biodiverse, and resilient energy future.
Sources
¹ T. Cornelisse, D.W. Inouye, R.E. Irwin, S. Jepsen, J.R. Mawdsley, M. Ormes, J. Daniels, D.M. Debinski, T. Griswold, J. Klymko, M.C. Orr, L. Richardson, N. Sears, D. Schweitzer, & B.E. Young, Elevated extinction risk in over one-fifth of native North American pollinators, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 122 (14) e2418742122, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2418742122 (2025).
² FAO (2019). The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. http://www.fao.org/state-of-biodiversity-for-food-agriculture/en/
³ IPBES (2016). Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production. https://ipbes.net/pollinators
⁴ NREL (2018). Co-location of Agriculture and Solar Photovoltaics: Design and Management Considerations for Pollinator Habitat. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/73463.pdf