How can solar decommissioning plans protect rural communities?

How solar decommissioning plans can protect rural communities A well-rounded decommissioning plan between developers and local governments can ensure that solar's presence in those communities remains positive. Podcasts

Are solar panels depleting farmlands?

Farmland preservation groups believe 83 percent of new solar installations will come from farm and ranch lands with half of these installations on the richest land for food and crops. Solar energy is depleting farmlands of their rich soils in the U.S. Midwest.

Should agricultural crops be co-located with solar panels?

There are both benefits and tradeoffs of co-locating agricultural crops with solar installations. In arid climates, for example, there might be higher yields with lower watering requirements; in extremely wet environments, panel spacing and other factors play an important role in managing on-site water distribution and eventual yields.

Is agrivoltaics more expensive than traditional solar development?

Agrivoltaics is not always more expensive than traditional solar development, but certain configurations can be more complex for planning and permitting. A successful agrivoltaics project requires two or more groups who often have very different priorities—the farmer or land manager and the solar developer—to find a solution that works for both.

Do solar installations cause land degradation?

Depending on their location, larger utility-scale solar facilities can raise concerns about land degradation and habitat loss. Total land area requirements varies depending on the technology, the topography of the site, and the intensity of the solar resource.

How do agrivoltaic systems work?

Agrivoltaics pairs solar with agriculture, creating energy and providing space for crops, grazing, and native habitats under and between panels. NREL studies economic and ecological tradeoffs of agrivoltaic systems.