Groundwater depletion from agricultural overuse is a critical issue in Iran, coinciding with national electricity challenges. The interconnected water-energy-agriculture nexus requires integrated solutions. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of repurposing low-productivity farmland for solar power generation to alleviate pressure on overexploited aquifers. By valuing both water and energy as economic inputs, the analysis compares the net benefits of marginal agriculture versus solar electricity production. Results demonstrate that revenue from grid-connected solar energy can effectively replace income from water-intensive, low-yield crops on such land, offering a financially viable pathway for significant water conservation.



The proposed synergy leverages the temporal alignment of high solar irradiance with peak irrigation demand seasons. This establishes a compelling economic rationale for land-use transition. However, realizing this potential requires overcoming substantial non-economic barriers. Subsequent analysis must, therefore, address critical social and institutional dimensions. Key challenges include impacts on rural livelihoods and employment, complex land tenure systems, regulatory hurdles for dual land use, and the logistical demands of grid integration in remote agricultural areas. Effective policy implementation will depend on designing coherent incentive structures, such as preferential tariffs for solar energy from retired farmland, alongside stronger governance for sustainable groundwater extraction. This multi-disciplinary approach is essential to guide the transition toward holistic and sustainable resource management within the nexus framework.