I had to modify the original title ("Land Requirements for Utility-Scale PV: An Empirical Update on Power and Energy Density") slightly to fit HN length limits. This is an open-access article.
Compared to a widely cited study of photovoltaic solar farm land usage from 2011 [1], the authors find that "the median power density increased by 52% for fixed-tilt plants and 43% for tracking plants from 2011 to 2019, while the median energy density increased by 33% for fixed-tilt and 25% for tracking plants over the same period. Those relying on the earlier benchmarks published nearly a decade ago are, thus, significantly overstating the land requirements of utility-scale PV."
The improved energy density of newer solar farms has policy implications for state level decarbonization plans, particularly in states with limited space. Solar PV is able to generate more electricity per hectare than previously estimated due to improved panel-level generation (higher panel level efficiency, better real-world panel performance) and more densely packed array layouts.
Compared to a widely cited study of photovoltaic solar farm land usage from 2011 [1], the authors find that "the median power density increased by 52% for fixed-tilt plants and 43% for tracking plants from 2011 to 2019, while the median energy density increased by 33% for fixed-tilt and 25% for tracking plants over the same period. Those relying on the earlier benchmarks published nearly a decade ago are, thus, significantly overstating the land requirements of utility-scale PV."
The improved energy density of newer solar farms has policy implications for state level decarbonization plans, particularly in states with limited space. Solar PV is able to generate more electricity per hectare than previously estimated due to improved panel-level generation (higher panel level efficiency, better real-world panel performance) and more densely packed array layouts.
[1] "Land-use requirements for solar power plants in the United States" https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/56290.pdf