Every day, a new story is pushed about how great it is to mix solar panels with farmlands. Some farmers have embraced “agrivoltaics,” mainly due to the extra income they can generate.
Farmers are discovering that the revenue from solar panels provides a nice, stable, predictable hedge against the volatility of crop prices. https://t.co/aNJUI213Pd
— David Roberts (@drvolts) March 8, 2024
However, many others are more skeptical of the idea or even downright hostile. Here’s why many farmers and agricultural communities are opposed to this trend:
Loss of Agricultural Land
Farmers argue that solar panels should not be placed on prime agricultural land, which is crucial for food production. The sentiment is strong that such land should be reserved for growing crops, not for energy generation. This argument is bolstered by the fact that there are alternative locations like rooftops, car parks, and brownfield sites where solar panels could be installed without competing with agriculture.
More of this please.
A solar farm the size of 86 football pitches on high-grade farmland has been rejected and decried as “insane” as the developers are told “it should be on roofs and car parks” instead. https://t.co/EuXjRGCcTd
— Mrs Flo (@fenlandflo) August 12, 2024
Economic Concerns
While some farmers see solar panels as a stable income source, others worry about the long-term implications. Solar installations can lock land into a non-agricultural use for decades, potentially reducing its value for traditional farming once the panels are removed. Moreover, the initial investment or lease agreements might not always favor the farmer, especially if they’re not directly involved in the solar project’s profits.
There’s a concern that large-scale solar projects might benefit speculative investment funds or corporations more than local farmers. This fear stems from the idea that these projects could lead to a form of land grabbing, where agricultural land is converted into energy production, primarily benefiting external investors.
Environmental and Aesthetic Impact
Many farmers and rural residents value the landscape’s natural beauty. Solar farms, with their extensive arrays of panels, are seen as altering the rural aesthetic, which can be a significant cultural and emotional loss for communities, while also driving down property values.
There’s also a worry about the long-term impact on soil health. While some argue that soils can recover, others point out the potential for soil degradation or contamination from panel materials, especially if not properly managed at the end of their lifecycle.
This is not environmentalism.
This is corporatism land grabbing. The vast majority of mass-scale solar panels plastered on prime farmland will end up being destroyed by bad weather, leaking toxic chemicals into the soil or eventually ending up in landfill after 25 years. pic.twitter.com/cQc4QOc21e— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) June 20, 2024
Please watch the video above. Are we really supposed to believe installing solar arrays like that on agricultural land is “going green”?
Regulatory and Policy Issues
Farmers often find themselves at odds with new policies that encourage or mandate solar installations on farmland. They argue for more balanced land use policies that consider the long-term agricultural needs against short-term energy gains.
Under President Biden, the “Green New Deal” (a prominent part of the Inflation Reduction Act) has spurred significant incentives for solar arrays on farmland through various programs aimed at promoting ‘renewable’ energy. Notably, the expansion of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) allows for grants covering up to 50% of solar installation costs for farmers, making solar energy more accessible. Additionally, initiatives like the $7 billion Solar for All grant competition aim to lower energy costs for low-income households, which indirectly supports solar projects on farmland by increasing demand for solar energy.
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, G.T. Thompson, wants to ensure that the upcoming Farm Bill will prevent USDA funding from helping the trend of solar energy projects taking many thousands of acres of the best agricultural soils out of production.
Culture and Identity
For many, farming isn’t just an occupation but a way of life, deeply tied to community identity. Solar farms represent a shift from this traditional identity, which can feel like a loss of cultural heritage. Many farmers, rooted in the land for many generations, are not looking to jump into the “brave new world” of solar farming just because it’s the latest trend, makes them a bit of extra money, and gives them some “socially progressive” brownie points.
Conclusion
The debate over solar panels on farms encapsulates broader issues of land use, economic stability, environmental impact, and cultural preservation. Do we want to remain true to our agriculture roots or allow WEF globalists, corrupt politicians, and their business partners to determine what farmland will look like in the 21st century and beyond?