Croplands in Tarlac have been reduced due to their conversion into farms for solar power plants

26 Feb 2026

Clean energy, such as solar power, is an important solution for reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a stable energy supply. Solar farms help diversify energy sources, making the power supply more reliable and less affected by market fluctuations. However, while expanding solar farms benefits energy security, it can also impact land use and ecosystems.

This study examined how solar farms have grown in Tarlac province, Philippines, and what this means for energy and food security. Using satellite images, mapping technology, and machine learning, it was found that from 2017 to 2022, cropland in the area decreased from 50.19% to 47.64%. Grassland also saw a major reduction (-22.3%). Meanwhile, solar power plant areas more than tripled, expanding by 333.3%. The study found that most of the land converted into solar farms was previously used for growing crops, which raises concerns about food production in the region.

Computer simulations predict that by 2027, solar farms in Tarlac could expand by another 700 hectares, increasing power generation but further reducing cropland. The study suggests using higher-quality land use/cover data and adding more factors to improve future predictions. These findings can help government agencies and industries plan better ways to balance renewable energy development with food security, ensuring that the country’s energy transition does not come at the cost of agricultural sustainability.

The outputs of this study provide a scientific basis for balancing renewable energy expansion with sustainable land use planning. By analyzing solar farm expansion in Tarlac, Philippines, and its impact on land use/land cover (LULC), this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and energy stakeholders. The observed conversion of cropland to a solar power plant highlights potential trade-offs between energy security and food production, emphasizing the need for integrated land-use strategies.

Moreover, the study contributes to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the effectiveness of remote sensing, geographic information systems, and machine learning in monitoring LULC change. The recommendations to incorporate higher-resolution LUL data and additional spatial variables can refine future predictive models, enhancing their accuracy for decision-making.

Lastly, this research supports the sustainable deployment of solar energy infrastructure by informing strategies that minimize negative environmental and socio-economic impacts. The results of this study can serve as a basis for future studies and policy frameworks that ensure renewable energy growth aligns with security in food production.

Author: Jeark A. Principe (Department of Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10795515

Image by andreas160578 from Pixabay

Croplands in Tarlac have been reduced due to their conversion into farms for solar power plants

Clean energy, such as solar power, is an important solution for reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a stable energy supply. Solar farms help diversify energy sources, making the power supply more reliable and less affected by market fluctuations. However, while expanding solar farms benefits energy security, it can also impact land use and ecosystems.

This study examined how solar farms have grown in Tarlac province, Philippines, and what this means for energy and food security. Using satellite images, mapping technology, and machine learning, it was found that from 2017 to 2022, cropland in the area decreased from 50.19% to 47.64%. Grassland also saw a major reduction (-22.3%). Meanwhile, solar power plant areas more than tripled, expanding by 333.3%. The study found that most of the land converted into solar farms was previously used for growing crops, which raises concerns about food production in the region.

Computer simulations predict that by 2027, solar farms in Tarlac could expand by another 700 hectares, increasing power generation but further reducing cropland. The study suggests using higher-quality land use/cover data and adding more factors to improve future predictions. These findings can help government agencies and industries plan better ways to balance renewable energy development with food security, ensuring that the country’s energy transition does not come at the cost of agricultural sustainability.

The outputs of this study provide a scientific basis for balancing renewable energy expansion with sustainable land use planning. By analyzing solar farm expansion in Tarlac, Philippines, and its impact on land use/land cover (LULC), this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and energy stakeholders. The observed conversion of cropland to a solar power plant highlights potential trade-offs between energy security and food production, emphasizing the need for integrated land-use strategies.

Moreover, the study contributes to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the effectiveness of remote sensing, geographic information systems, and machine learning in monitoring LULC change. The recommendations to incorporate higher-resolution LUL data and additional spatial variables can refine future predictive models, enhancing their accuracy for decision-making.

Lastly, this research supports the sustainable deployment of solar energy infrastructure by informing strategies that minimize negative environmental and socio-economic impacts. The results of this study can serve as a basis for future studies and policy frameworks that ensure renewable energy growth aligns with security in food production.

Author: Jeark A. Principe (Department of Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10795515

Image by andreas160578 from Pixabay