{"id":121160,"date":"2024-01-18T08:38:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T12:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=121160"},"modified":"2024-01-18T10:38:17","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T14:38:17","slug":"pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pros and Cons of Solar Farms in the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What are the pros and cons of solar farms? How can developers address local apprehensions and advance larger energy objectives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many rural US communities resist the development of solar farms, fearing their environmental impact, destabilization of local economies, and perceived inequitable returns. Solar supporters argue that the minimal risks from solar farms are outweighed by significant benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a look at both sides of the solar farm argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-are-solar-farms-worth-it\">Are Solar Farms Worth It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Solar farms are key to the US\u2019s clean energy ambitions, but their development faces stiff opposition in rural communities, threatening their expansion.\u00a0Here are the pros and cons of solar farms in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-background\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Solar farms, considered among the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/earth.org\/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>cheapest, fastest sources of renewable energy<\/strong><\/a><strong>, are instrumental in <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/10\/12\/business\/energy-environment\/solar-farm-agreement.html#:~:text=54-,Energy%20Firms%2C%20Green%20Groups%20and%20Others%20Reach%20Deal%20on%20Solar,land%20use%20and%20environmental%20concerns.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>achieving President Biden&#8217;s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> Industry experts say that to realize this objective, solar-powered electricity must multiply sixfold\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/10\/12\/business\/energy-environment\/solar-farm-agreement.html#:~:text=54-,Energy%20Firms%2C%20Green%20Groups%20and%20Others%20Reach%20Deal%20on%20Solar,land%20use%20and%20environmental%20concerns.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">from 5% today to 30% by 2030<\/a>. While rooftop panels can address some of this demand, larger solar projects are necessary to meet the ambitious target. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rural regions, especially farmlands, are considered prime locations for solar farms due to their <a href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2023\/04\/rural-solar-projects-on-farmland-meet-community-opposition-in-the-midwest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">flat terrains and proximity to transmission lines<\/a>. By 2040, solar development is expected to consume nearly <a href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2023\/04\/rural-solar-projects-on-farmland-meet-community-opposition-in-the-midwest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2.5 million acres in the US\u201483% of it farmland<\/a>. This surge could fuel a bidding war for prime farmland between deep-pocketed utility firms and farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-solar-skepticism\"><strong>Solar Skepticism&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Many communities are <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/energy-and-utilities\/renewable-energy-is-reckoning-with-its-perception-in-rural-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">skeptical of developers\u2019 promises<\/a><strong> and oppose the farms, concerned that solar projects will:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Fail to deliver substantial, equitable returns.\u00a0<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2023\/04\/rural-solar-projects-on-farmland-meet-community-opposition-in-the-midwest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Destabilize local economies that depend on agriculture<\/strong><\/a>. Losing thousands of acres of farmland to solar development, which employs fewer people and can render viable land <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/news\/2023\/04\/03\/business\/us-solar-energy-unwelcome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fallow for decades<\/a>, could significantly threaten rural livelihoods.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Harm local environment and wildlife. <\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2023\/10\/12\/business\/energy-environment\/solar-farm-agreement.html#:~:text=54-,Energy%20Firms%2C%20Green%20Groups%20and%20Others%20Reach%20Deal%20on%20Solar,land%20use%20and%20environmental%20concerns.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Negatively alter the visual landscape<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/20122022\/solar-rural-minnesota\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>property values<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/03\/18\/nyregion\/solar-energy-farms-ny.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>rural way of life<\/strong><\/a> by replacing open fields or forests with rows of dark, unsightly solar panels, fences, and access roads. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-solar-support\"><strong>Solar Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Supporters of rural solar farms contend that<strong> proper <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/02\/18\/1154867064\/solar-power-misinformation-activists-rural-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>siting<\/strong><\/a><strong> and <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.popsci.com\/environment\/solar-farm-construction-epa-water-violations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>construction practices<\/strong><\/a><strong> can minimize risks<\/strong> related to vegetation clearing and environmental and wildlife habitat disruption.<strong> <\/strong>They further argue that the benefits of solar to rural communities are numerous, including that the farms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/today.oregonstate.edu\/news\/combining-solar-energy-and-agriculture-mitigate-climate-change-assist-rural-communities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Generate emission-free renewable power to mitigate climate change<\/strong><\/a><strong>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2023\/04\/19\/texas-renewable-energy-solar-wind-local-opposition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Increase tax revenue<\/strong><\/a><strong> for local and state governments\u00a0<\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/energy-and-utilities\/renewable-energy-is-reckoning-with-its-perception-in-rural-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Provide good jobs<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2023\/04\/rural-solar-projects-on-farmland-meet-community-opposition-in-the-midwest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Offer landowners financial security<\/strong><\/a><strong> through lease payments.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-looking-ahead\"><strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts say that solar developers must foster strong relationships with local communities to improve their receptiveness to solar farms in rural areas. This requires adopting a more comprehensive approach, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FP_20200113_renewables_land_use_local_opposition_gross.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Proactively engaging the community<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FP_20200113_renewables_land_use_local_opposition_gross.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Enhancing land use planning<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/energy-and-utilities\/renewable-energy-is-reckoning-with-its-perception-in-rural-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Showcasing benefits<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/energy-and-utilities\/renewable-energy-is-reckoning-with-its-perception-in-rural-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Reframing solar farming<\/strong><\/a>. <\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are the pros and cons of solar farms? How can developers address local apprehensions and advance larger energy objectives? Many rural US communities resist the development of solar farms, fearing their environmental impact, destabilization of local economies, and perceived inequitable returns. Solar supporters argue that the minimal risks from solar farms are outweighed by significant benefits. Here&#8217;s a look at both sides of the solar farm argument.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":121161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,24],"tags":[727],"class_list":["post-121160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-society","tag-articles","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Pros and Cons of Solar Farms in the United States - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Solar farms in the US may be the answer to clean energy. 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However, many communities believe solar farms will disrupt the land and their lives.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Shortform Books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-01-18T12:38:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-01-18T14:38:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wordpress.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/solar-farm-in-field.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"941\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"529\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Hannah Aster\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Hannah Aster\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Hannah Aster\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/f39f52830e4f7039a16e45d12354542f\"},\"headline\":\"The Pros and Cons of Solar Farms in the United States\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-18T12:38:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-18T14:38:17+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/\"},\"wordCount\":441,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/solar-farm-in-field.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Articles\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Business\",\"Society\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/\",\"name\":\"The Pros and Cons of Solar Farms in the United States - Shortform Books\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-solar-farms\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/solar-farm-in-field.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-01-18T12:38:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-18T14:38:17+00:00\",\"description\":\"Solar farms in the US may be the answer to clean energy. 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