10/01/2026
As the world accelerates toward renewable energy, where we install solar panels is just as important as adopting them. Converting productive farmland into solar fields may generate power—but it also risks reducing food production and increasing pressure on global agriculture.
There’s a far smarter alternative already woven into our cities: parking lots.
Parking lots are massive, sun-exposed spaces that sit unused for most of the day. By installing solar canopies above them, we can generate clean energy without sacrificing fertile land. At the same time, these canopies provide shade, lower surface temperatures, protect vehicles from harsh weather, and create the perfect foundation for EV charging stations.
This solution strengthens sustainability, food security, and climate action all at once. Cities benefit. Businesses save energy costs. Communities gain cleaner power—while farmland continues to feed millions.
We don’t need to choose between solar energy and agriculture. With smarter planning, both can thrive side by side.
