Should solar energy be located on farmland?

Locating solar energy on farmland could significantly increase the available land for solar development, while maintaining land in agricultural production and expanding economic opportunities for farmers, rural communities, and the solar industry.

Can solar & farmland be used in the same land area?

Solar and farming in the same land area can retain functional use of farmland while adding emissions-free power generation. In the United States, up to 83% of new solar development by 2040 is forecast to occur on farmland and ranchland, according to the American Farmland Trust.

What percentage of farmland can be converted to solar?

At a global scale, it is estimated that 1% of all farmland could produce the world’s energy needs if converted to solar PV. Policy The American Farmland Trust made policy recommendations to support more agrivoltaic buildout, which it said currently represents less than 5% of solar capacity installed in the U.S.

Will agricultural land be used for solar energy?

Agricultural land in the U.S. has the technical potential to provide 27 terawatts of solar energy capacity. This is a quarter of the total U.S. solar energy capacity of 115 TW. Only 0.3% of farmland is expected to be used for solar energy by 2035. Will using land for solar panels drive up the price of food?

Is solar energy a good investment for farmland?

Solar energy is leading the way, with much of the new development occurring on farmland and in rural communities. It has the potential to be a financial opportunity for landowners, yet it can also create barriers for farmer renters and the next generation.

Should solar be built on farmland and ranchland?

In the United States, up to 83% of new solar development by 2040 is forecast to occur on farmland and ranchland, according to the American Farmland Trust. This highlights the need to build solar on rooftops, brownfields, and already-developed lands, while also presenting the opportunity for building agrivoltaics.