Rural solar photovoltaic power generation qualifications

Is solar energy a good option for farmers?

Solar energy offers farmers the opportunity to harvest the sun twice—the same reason land is good for farming (flat, open areas), also makes it good for solar installations. The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is researching the opportunities and trade-offs of agrivoltaics.

How much solar energy will we need in 2035?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Futures Study, solar energy could supply as much as 40% of U.S. electricity by 2035. This level of solar deployment could require about 5.7 million acres, or 0.3% of the U.S. contiguous land area.

Will agricultural land be used for solar energy?

Agricultural land in the U.S. has the technical potential to provide 27 terawatts of solar energy capacity. This is a quarter of the total U.S. solar energy capacity of 115 TW. Only 0.3% of farmland is expected to be used for solar energy by 2035. Will using land for solar panels drive up the price of food?

Should solar energy be located on farmland?

Locating solar energy on farmland could significantly increase the available land for solar development, while maintaining land in agricultural production and expanding economic opportunities for farmers, rural communities, and the solar industry.

What is the USDA Rural Energy pilot program?

These funds will be targeted to help people who live in communities that have been historically underinvested and disinvested. USDA is making the funds available through the new Rural Energy Pilot Program to help the people of rural America build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before.

What is the USDA reap grant for solar?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a highly sought-after opportunity for agricultural producers and rural commercial businesses to receive grants for energy-efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects.