New Map Shows Solar Uses Only 0.07% of U.S. Prime Farmland

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today launched an interactive map showing how solar development and agriculture thrive side-by-side while creating shared value for rural communities. The map compares solar’s limited farmland impact to that of other major land uses, including suburban development and golf courses.

The new tool comes amid Farm Bill negotiations in Congress and growing misinformation and targeted scrutiny of solar development and agricultural land use. The map shows that solar occupies a remarkably small share of America’s farmland, especially compared to permanent land conversion driven by low-density suburban sprawl and recreational uses.

Across the country, many solar projects support dual-use agricultural practices such as grazing and pollinator habitats. Thousands of farmers and private landowners are choosing solar as a stable, long-term source of revenue that helps keep family farms in business while delivering affordable electricity for their communities. Unlike permanent suburban expansion, solar projects can also be decommissioned at the end of their operating life.

“America depends on our land to grow our food, build our communities, and power our lives,” said SEIA president and CEO Tim Pawlenty. “Responsible land use means balancing all of those needs. This map helps provide important context by showing that solar and agriculture can thrive together. Solar development uses a very small amount of farmland compared to many other common land uses, while also delivering affordable energy, local tax revenue, and reliable income for farmers and landowners.”

The map reveals several key findings:

• Solar currently uses just 0.04% of total U.S. land area and 0.07% of U.S. farmland.
• There are zero states where solar uses more than 0.5% of prime farmland.
• Nearly every state has more abandoned prime farmland than solar-developed prime farmland. Nationally, there are 43 acres of abandoned prime farmland for every acre of solar on prime farmland.
• Golf courses use 2.6x as much prime farmland than solar.
• Suburban development just since 2014 uses roughly six-times more prime farmland than solar.

Communities, landowners, farmers, local officials, and solar and storage developers all share an interest in responsible land use. SEIA has developed extensive land use resources, research, and best practices to help communities make informed decisions about responsible solar and storage development.

The interactive map is available here.

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About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy. SEIA works with its 1,200 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.