Callahan (Provided photo/Colleen Callahan Consultancy)
“It’s not the strongest species that survives, it’s the one that adapts, adopts and accepts change.” Why do I begin with this quote? Because it applies to the consideration of “planting” solar panels on farm ground.
As we see more solar fields dotting our rural landscape, it’s understandable to question if this is the best use of our productive Illinois land. Shouldn’t we focus on feeding a growing population?
I believe we can harvest both the sun and foodstuffs. Here’s why.
Illinois has more than 27 million acres of farmland, about 19.7 million classified as prime. Backed by data, even if every solar panel in Illinois today was installed on agricultural land, we’d only use 0.1% of that land.
And it’s projected that even five years from now, when thousands more megawatts of solar are added, we’d still use just 0.5% of our farmland.
That’s not a threat. It’s an opportunity.
Solar development doesn’t permanently pave over the land for a housing subdivision or a shopping mall. Rather, when decommissioned 30 or 35 years later, the panels are removed, and the land is restored, often in better condition than before.
With pollinator-friendly plantings under and around the panels — whose root systems are twice as deep as those of corn or soybeans — soil health, water infiltration and biodiversity are all improved.
And I haven’t mentioned the financial stability of harvesting this new crop!
The benefit to both the landowner and the neighboring community is unmatched, particularly during this time of uncertainty.
When “planting” solar panels, you don’t choose between crops or renewable energy. You harvest both. As one farmer said, it’s like “farming the sun” when the corn market doesn’t cooperate.
As a former director of USDA Rural Development in Illinois, I am familiar with the challenges of securing funding for much-needed improvements in our rural communities.
Solar infuses a dramatic increase in property tax revenue. Since 2003, Illinois has increased its renewable energy tax revenue from $235 to more than $64 million in 2022.
In Marshall County in 2023, a two-megawatt solar project generated more than $12,000 in property tax, compared to just over $1,000 in revenue from the neighboring farm.
That 12-times increase, paid by the solar developer, helped the schools, the fire protection district and social services.
Additionally, don’t overlook the fact that someone must build these community solar projects, which means creating jobs.
Long term, solar by itself won’t provide all the energy we need. But it is a crucial component of the clean energy matrix, the sun being an abundant resource we have taken for granted.
Now, Illinois has a chance to be a leader not only in agriculture, but also in renewable energy. Because the state of Illinois has set a goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050 through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, we can reach it in a way that respects our roots, protects our natural resources and provides benefits to farmers and rural residents.
Let’s accept that the sun is one of our most powerful and consistent resources. Let’s adapt to farming it wisely.
Let’s adopt the view that the sun can shine even brighter for the generations to come, because solar is not a threat. It’s an opportunity.
Colleen Callahan spent 32 years as a farm broadcaster and served as Illinois director of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development and director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Copyright © 2026 agrinews-pubs.com. All rights reserved. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media.
Copyright © 2026 agrinews-pubs.com. All rights reserved. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media.

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