America’s most productive farmland at risk as solar capacity expands

In Jasper County, Indiana, farmer Dave Duttlinger is facing the consequences of leasing a large portion of his land for a solar development project. The project, undertaken by Dunns Bridge Solar, has left Duttlinger’s fields covered in yellow-brown dust, causing frustration among his neighbors and damaging his crops.

Despite assurances from Dunns Bridge Solar to minimize damage to the land, subcontractors graded Duttlinger’s fields, spreading sand across the fertile topsoil. As a result, Duttlinger fears he will never be able to grow anything on that field again, impacting his family’s corn, soybean, and alfalfa production.

The solar project, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, highlights the growing trend of solar development in the U.S. Midwest. The promise of profits from leasing land for solar panels is attractive to landowners, with rents ranging from $900 to $1,500 per acre per year, far exceeding traditional farmland rents.

However, the expansion of solar projects on prime cropland raises concerns about the long-term impact on agricultural productivity. Agronomists and experts warn that taking valuable cropland out of production for solar development and damaging topsoil could affect future crop potential in the United States.

As the U.S. aims to meet decarbonization targets, the demand for solar energy capacity is expected to increase significantly. This raises questions about the balance between renewable energy development and preserving valuable farmland for food production.

The debate over the use of farmland for solar projects continues, with developers arguing for the economic benefits and the need to combat climate change, while farmers like Duttlinger face the reality of lost crop potential and environmental damage on their land.