@pomubieng @icing https://coloradosun.com/2024/11/19/solar-panels-rooftop-gardens-csu-spur-campus/
when used correctly, solar does help with growing some crops and help keeping bulding temperature cooler, saving power that would be used for climate control.

for your question, solar panel mostly don't use rare earth element, contrary to wind or EV. I would expect corn to not capture much CO2 as it's removed after a few month and you spend CO2 for sowing and harvesting. Each acre of corn used for ethanol is one acre not used for food or booze.