Скачать или смотреть From Crops to Kilowatts: Navigating the Land Use Debate with Data

Strategic Economic Research (SER) has released a new in-depth analysis exploring a key question for developers and communities alike: Is a solar farm a more economically valuable use of land than continued agricultural production?

The presentation will cover profit comparisons between farming and solar leases, including simulations and economic models to determine how crop prices or yields would need to increase to match solar lease revenue. It will also explore net economic impacts, comparing solar development to continued agricultural use. The webinar will dive into projections showing how technological improvements in agriculture can offset reductions in farmland, often restoring output levels within zero to three years. Additional insights include an analysis of soil types and the share of land considered “prime farmland,” a review of the site’s suitability for solar—such as grid access and solar irradiance—and a look at the likely end uses of common crops, including the growing role of biofuels.

This session is perfect for solar developers, land use planners, policymakers, and others interested in how renewable energy and agriculture can coexist.