New "SOLAR Act" Puts the Brakes on USDA Funding for Large-Scale Solar Projects on Farmland

The "Securing Our Lands and Resources Act," or "SOLAR Act," aims to limit the use of USDA funding for ground-mounted solar energy systems that convert farmland. It's all about balancing renewable energy goals with protecting agricultural land.

Farming First?

This bill prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from providing financial assistance to projects that convert "covered farmland" – basically, land defined by the Farmland Protection Policy Act – into solar energy production sites. (Sec. 2). The bill defines "conversion" as any change that makes the land unusable for agriculture.

Size Matters (and So Does Local Approval)

There are some key exceptions to this funding ban:

• Small Projects: Projects converting less than 5 acres are exempt. (Sec. 2).
• On-Farm Use: Projects converting less than 50 acres are also exempt if most of the energy produced is used directly on the farm. (Sec. 2).
• Local Government OK: Projects can get a pass if every county and municipality where the project is located approves it. (Sec. 2). This gives local communities a significant say in whether large solar projects move forward on farmland within their jurisdictions.

The Catch: Conservation Plans

Even if a project gets local approval, it must have a "farmland conservation plan" in place. (Sec. 2). This plan needs to:

• Use "best practices" to protect soil health during construction, operation, and decommissioning of the solar panels. (Sec. 2). What counts as "best practices"? The bill doesn't explicitly define this, leaving room for interpretation.
• Restore the soil to its original health after the project ends. (Sec. 2).
• Guarantee there's enough money set aside to actually remove the solar system and restore the farmland. (Sec. 2). This is crucial – it aims to prevent situations where farmland is left unusable after a solar project's lifespan.

Follow the Rules, or Pay Up

The Secretary of Agriculture can commit funds to these projects, but the money won't be released until the applicant meets all the conservation plan requirements. (Sec. 2). And if a project doesn't stick to the plan? They have to repay all the financial assistance they received. (Sec. 2). That's a serious financial penalty designed to ensure compliance.

Real-World Impact

Imagine a large-scale solar developer eyeing hundreds of acres of prime farmland. Under this bill, they'd either need to get every single local government on board and commit to a rigorous (and potentially costly) conservation plan, or they'd have to look elsewhere. This could significantly slow down the conversion of agricultural land for solar energy in some areas. Conversely, a farmer wanting to install a small solar array to power their own operations would likely be unaffected.

This bill attempts a balancing act. It isn't an outright ban on solar development on farmland, but it adds significant hurdles and emphasizes local control and long-term land stewardship. The effectiveness will hinge on how "best practices" are defined and how strictly conservation plans are enforced.