Colocated solar and aloe vera (for gel production) installations could maximize the efficiency of water use in drylands by coupling water use for cleaning panels and irrigation, minimizing dust generation by increasing soil moisture and vegetation cover, minimizing impacts on natural areas by deploying crop cultivation in existing large solar infrastructures, and stimulating economic returns to improve livelihoods in rural areas. However, to explore the logistics and economic feasibility of integrated solar PV–aloe vera systems, detailed life cycle analyses are needed. Here, we conduct a detailed life cycle analysis for solar PV, aloe vera gel production, and a hypothetical colocated solar–aloe system to explore the tradeoffs and synergies (in the context of energy, water, and greenhouse gas emissions) between these two emerging land uses in northwestern India. We also examine the economics of these systems and the potential for improving rural livelihoods (employment generation, rural electrification).