Electric Farms Are Using Solar Power to Grow Profits and Crops

In many respects, Takeshi Magami’s farm is like any other in Japan, growing everything from potatoes to ginger and eggplants. But one major difference sets it apart from its neighbors: the 2,826 solar panels perched above the crops.

The panels, covering much of the one hectare (2.5 acres) of land in the tranquil countryside east of Tokyo, serve a dual purpose. They supply nearly all the power needed to run the farm, and are a source of extra income by selling surplus renewable energy to the grid.

Solar panels over Magami’s farm in Chiba, Japan. Solar sharing is a viable alternative in places like Japan with limited space and a heavy reliance on energy imports.

Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg

For Magami that can mean 24 million yen ($187,000) of additional revenue ...