The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) recently published a comprehensive study exploring the relationship between large-scale renewable energy projects—specifically solar and wind installations—and agricultural land use. The study, titled “Agricultural Land Near Solar and Wind Projects Usually Remained in Agriculture After Development,” provides a data-driven perspective on how renewable energy infrastructure has impacted rural farming communities. Between 2012 and 2020, renewable energy capacity surged in the U.S., with many projects being sited on agricultural land. This blog post delves into the key findings and broader implications of this research.
As renewable energy expands, concerns about its impact on farmland have grown. With solar farms and wind turbines increasingly being built in rural areas, questions have emerged about the long-term consequences for agricultural land cover and productivity. One of the major conclusions from the USDA ERS study is that, despite concerns, most agricultural land near wind and solar developments has remained in agricultural use. This is a positive finding for farmers, landowners, and energy stakeholders alike.
From 2012 to 2020, more than 90 percent of commercial wind turbines and 70 percent of solar farms were installed on agricultural land. However, the total land area directly impacted by these projects is relatively small compared to the vast amount of farmland in the U.S. In 2020, the total rural land directly affected by renewable energy projects amounted to only 424,000 acres—less than 0.05 percent of the 897 million acres used for farming.
The study underscores some important differences in how solar and wind projects affect land use. While both types of developments require significant land areas, they do so in very different ways. Wind farms tend to cover larger geographical areas but use only a small portion of land for infrastructure like turbine pads and service roads. In fact, more than 95 percent of the land within wind farms is still available for agricultural activities such as crop production or grazing.
Solar farms, by contrast, tend to occupy smaller areas overall, but they make more intensive use of the land beneath the panels and other infrastructure. Solar farms require approximately ten times more land per megawatt of capacity than wind farms, and they impact a larger share of the specific land area they cover. That said, even with solar farms, a significant portion of surrounding farmland remains in agricultural production. According to the study, 85 percent of agricultural land surrounding solar farms stayed in use for farming.
The regional distribution of solar and wind projects varies considerably, largely driven by geographic and policy factors. Wind farms are predominantly found in the Plains and Midwest, where high wind speeds and large expanses of rural land make these areas ideal for wind energy development. Wind power has been expanding since the late 1990s, and in 2020, wind accounted for 8.4 percent of total U.S. electricity generation.
Solar energy, a younger industry compared to wind, has seen rapid growth in recent years. From 2016 to 2020, solar capacity in rural areas more than doubled. By 2020, solar power accounted for 2.3 percent of U.S. electricity generation, with large-scale solar farms concentrated in states like California, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. State-level policies promoting renewable energy have played a significant role in the concentration of solar projects in certain regions.
One of the most significant aspects of the USDA ERS study is its detailed examination of land cover changes around renewable energy projects. The researchers analyzed land cover in the three years prior to and after the installation of wind turbines and solar farms. They found that wind turbine installations had little impact on agricultural land cover—less than 1 percent of agricultural land surrounding wind projects shifted to non-agricultural uses. Solar farms had a slightly higher impact, with 15 percent of agricultural land near solar farms being converted to non-agricultural uses after installation.
The study’s findings are reassuring for those concerned about potential conflicts between renewable energy development and agriculture. The majority of farmland near renewable energy projects continues to be used for agricultural purposes, and many farmers benefit economically by leasing their land for energy projects while continuing farming activities.
Renewable energy projects offer several economic and environmental benefits for farmers and landowners. In addition to providing a steady income stream through land leases, wind and solar projects help diversify rural economies. Farmers who lease their land for renewable energy development often continue agricultural activities, ensuring that the land remains productive. Moreover, these projects contribute to local tax bases and provide clean energy, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The USDA ERS study offers a hopeful outlook for the coexistence of renewable energy projects and agriculture. As the U.S. continues to transition to a cleaner energy future, the findings suggest that large-scale renewable energy installations can be compatible with agricultural production. By carefully managing land use and addressing community concerns, it is possible to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between renewable energy developers and rural communities.
The expansion of renewable energy is essential to ensuring energy independence, but it must be done in a way that supports agricultural livelihoods. The USDA’s research points toward a path where renewable energy and agriculture can thrive together, helping to build a more sustainable and resilient future for all.