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Solar developments, led by ground-mounted, utility-scale projects, are expected to take up to 10 million acres by 2050. The recent Inflation Reduction Act offers abundant tax credits over several years for the development of renewable energy systems. Farmland, because of its large parcels and relatively level terrain, is expected to attract the majority of large solar developments.
Individual counties and towns will have to decide whether and where to allow solar development and how to de-commission those sites. Solar ordinances are being written almost every day. Some rural residents object to the appearance of large solar projects, while others worry about the loss of food production and pressure on the local agricultural economy if solar projects are placed on farmland.
Researchers and practitioners discuss options to consider when drafting a solar ordinance, and a farm visit highlights the possibilities of “agri-voltaics," which blends solar development with crop and livestock production. Everyone in a community should participate in the debate about whether to allow utility-scale solar projects, where to site them, and what size limits should apply. Smaller, community-scale systems that feature micro-grids may be more acceptable to rural and small-town residents than large solar projects designed for electricity export.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the challenges of developing utility-scale solar projects on farmland and how to craft an ordinance to regulate the size, location, and de-commissioning of solar projects.
Provide planning solutions to incorporate agri-voltaics on farmland in order to balance electricity production with crop and livestock production.
Identify why some people oppose large-scale solar development on farmland, how they can ban solar development through the planning process, and whether agri-voltaics can provide a compromise.
