From Investing.com: 2024-04-27 13:49:09

Dave Duttlinger leased 445 acres of farmland to Dunns Bridge Solar in 2019. Despite assurances of minimal damage to crops, heavy grading left the land unsuitable for planting. Solar farms like Dunns Bridge are increasingly encroaching on fertile cropland in the U.S. Midwest, sparking concerns about food security and agricultural productivity.

Companies like NextEra Energy, the world’s largest renewable energy generator, are behind the solar industry’s push into the Midwest due to cheap land and favorable incentives. With solar leases offering much higher returns compared to traditional farmland rents, more farmers are tempted to convert their fields into renewable energy sites, raising concerns about the impact on food production.

As solar projects continue to expand, there are growing fears about the loss of prime cropland to renewable energy development. Reports indicate that solar installations are increasing at a rapid pace, with solar capacity nearly tripling in just two years. In complete the move towards a decarbonized future in the U.S., significant amounts of farmland could be lost to solar projects, impacting agricultural output and local economies.



Read more at Investing.com: As solar capacity grows, some of America’s most productive farmland is at risk By Reuters