By Michael Shulman
American Farmland Trust published its Texas Smart Solar™ report, which analyzed Texas farmer, rancher, and landowner perspectives on solar development and farmland, and found that nearly half of respondents support solar development on agricultural land.
"Texas has also always been an energy state, and solar is the newest chapter in that story,” said AFT Texas Smart Solar Specialist Garrett Bader. “But it is also the most land intensive. Our solar survey was critical in capturing the perspectives of both producers and landowners, helping us better understand not just the challenges they face today, but also the opportunities emerging in this space and how we can best support it."
The survey also found that impacts and challenges for tenant farmers were geographically dependent, with some who identified that reduction in land availability and increased rents near solar projects, while others considered land fragmentation, development, and generational succession as greater challenges. Farmers said that solar leasing was a means for supplemental income and a way to support their ability to operate, but they lack information and trusted resources to understand those opportunities.
The survey targeted nearly 200 agricultural producers and landowners across the Lone Star State who shared their views on support for and impacts of solar development, agrivoltaics, solar leasing, off-farm solar, and financial incentives. The survey also explored preferences for siting practices and locations, trusted sources of information, and impacts of solar development on land access.
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