Repurposing Farmland to Solar Farm: A Strategy to Reduce Groundwater Extraction

Many aquifers worldwide are experiencing long-term declines because groundwater withdrawals exceed their natural recharge capacity. Excessive water extraction not only increases the vulnerability of the aquifer system but also threatens irrigated agriculture in arid regions such as Rafsanjan, Iran. Analysis of annual groundwater extraction and declining groundwater level trends in Rafsanjan reveals increasing vulnerability of this aquifer. In addition, declining water availability has led to the loss of pistachio orchards and economic vulnerability among farmers in this region. This study aims to investigate the potential of solar energy development to facilitate farmland retirement and reduce groundwater extraction as part of a water demand management strategy. The financial feasibility assessment indicates that solar energy generation can be more profitable than pistachio farming. However, the high initial investment and limited transmission grid capacity remain major barriers to this repurposing. Field visits and many interviews with different stakeholders were conducted to understand the socio-economic context of this strategy, which led to the development of a conceptual water–energy–agriculture nexus model. The next phase of this research will focus on developing a system dynamics model that integrates hydrological, economic, and behavioral factors to evaluate the potential of repurposing farmland for solar energy generation as a strategy to reduce groundwater extraction while offsetting economic losses associated with farmland retirement.