The Benefits of Prairie Under Solar Panels

(Psssst, we talk more in depth about this on Ep. 135 of The Prairie Farm Podcast)

As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, the Midwest has emerged as a key player in the renewable energy sector. Solar power and wind, in particular, have gained prominence as a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, with solar specifically, installation can significantly impact the environment’s overall sustainability. One innovative approach gaining traction is the integration of native prairie ecosystems under solar panels. We at Hoksey Native Seeds spend countless energy and a lot of money looking for places to establish prairie. So with the opportunity of having prairie under solar fields, we are jumping for joy.

Biodiversity Boost

Native prairies are a vital component of the Midwest's natural heritage, providing habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal species. Introducing native prairie vegetation beneath solar panels not only preserves these ecosystems but enhances regional biodiversity. Unlike traditional gravel or turf, prairie plants create a dynamic environment that attracts a variety of pollinators, insects, and small mammals. We cannot have an “us or them” mentality. If our pollinators and the other living species on this planet don’t thrive, then we won’t thrive… but that sermon is for another day.

Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health

Another key advantage of native prairie vegetation is its ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, mitigating the impacts of climate change. Prairie plants have extensive root systems that can reach several feet into the soil, promoting carbon storage and enhancing soil structure. This not only reduces carbon dioxide levels but also improves soil health by preventing erosion, increasing water retention, and promoting nutrient cycling. As a result, solar installations with native prairie cover contribute to a holistic approach to climate resilience and sustainable land use. There are consequences to ripping up millions and millions of acres of thousand-year-old prairie for crops. We are now facing those consequences, and something that can help fight those consequences is establishing prairie, including under solar fields.

Economic Advantages

Solar fields create power. Everyone in the United States uses this power. So the industry is huge, billions of dollars huge. So what does that have to do with prairie. Since so much money is funneled in and out of these solar utility companies, establishing an “expensive”, high-quality prairie is no problem for them. A hurdle we deal with at Hoksey Native Seeds is the following: How can we get a very high quality prairie mix in the hands of farmers without breaking their bank? But when you exchange the farmer out for a solar company, the bank gets a lot bigger. We don’t share this to say we ever want to take advantage of these solar companies. We are looking to put as high quality of a mix on the landscape as possible. Farmers who enroll in CRP might see $180 per acre as a high price. Solar contractors don’t. This means we can put more rare, more expensive species in these mixes. It’s a win-win.

Challenges

The two biggest challenges are shade and height. Prairie was primarily designed for wide open spaces with unlimited sunlight in the summer. Solar panels don’t provide that. The have quite a bit of shade, due to their nature. So often we need species that grow well with shade. This nods back to the more expensive species. Shady species are more expensive, because shade is hard to mimic when producing the seed. It can be done, but it is a hurdle that we in the seed industry will need to overcome.

The second challenge is height. Most solar fields have panels 20”-30” off the ground. That’s 2.5 feet or less. Most prairie doesn’t stay that short. Shorter species are harder to produce, because it can be difficult to harvest them. So again, we talk about the price of the mix, due to the species being hard to produce. We at Hoksey don’t believe in impossibilities. Only hurdles. And we’re working on these as you read this.

The benefits of prairie in solar fields far outweigh any hurdles we have to jump.

If you have a solar field near you, maybe reach out to the managers and suggest getting a native prairie for their fields. Every little bit helps.

If you’re looking for solar mixes, you can find them here.

If you’re looking for backyard prairie mixes, check them out here.