Solar and wind farms generate controversy but occupy a sliver of rural

The Economic Research Service report looked at wind and solar development from 2009 to 2020 and said three-quarters of solar and more than 90% of wind projects in the country were

Solar Energy Expansion and its Impacts on Rural Communities

Over the last decade, solar energy production has grown 25% on average per year and installation costs have dropped more than 40%, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association

Panic over farmland loss is stalling rural renewable energy

In rural Virginia, opponents cite the visual impact of large arrays and the fear of soil degradation, arguments amplified by commentary that solar installations are hastening the loss of farmland

Agricultural Land Near Solar and Wind Projects Usually Remained in

USDA, Economic Research Service researchers recently studied how solar and wind development affects land cover near wind turbines and solar farms. They found that cropland or

Solar Power Depletes Farmlands of Rich Soil

According to USDA, urban sprawl and development are currently bigger contributors to farmland loss than solar power, citing reports from the Department of Energy and agency-funded

As Federal Support for On-Farm Solar Declines, Is Community

Most recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it would no longer support solar projects that take away viable farmland. That will make it harder for rural businesses and

Harvesting the Sun–Twice: Agrivoltaics and Rural Land-Use

This trend has raised skepticism in rural communities, prompting questions about land value, environmental impacts, and the future of these properties once solar installations are

Agrivoltaics: Weighing solar growth and farmland loss

The emerging conflict between utility-scale solar development and farmland loss has generated growing interest in proving the economic viability of continued agricultural production on

Sifting through Solar: Land-Use Concerns on Prime Farmland

The U.S. is expected to increase solar capacity by 76 times by 2050 to meet national and state decar-bonization goals, with rural areas becoming a major target for the siting of utility-scale solar projects

Why Solar Farms Are Bad: A Scientific Perspective

Solar farms require significant land areas to generate electricity, often converting agricultural land, natural habitats, and open spaces. A 100 MW farm, for instance, can need 400 to