Survey of Virginia Farmers Reveals Views on Solar Development

American Farmland Trust (AFT) released findings of a survey of Virginia farmers and ranchers that explored their views on solar energy development. AFT has a focus on ensuring that solar development does not compound development pressure on agricultural land and instead supports both agriculture and renewable energy goals. The survey revealed that while farmers generally support solar energy, they are concerned about its potential impact on agricultural land. A majority of respondents want solar projects to be thoughtfully sited, taking into account the scale, location, and potential for negative impacts on rural communities. Farmers also expressed strong interest in learning about agrivoltaics, the practice of intentionally designing and operating a solar energy facility that enables and sustains viable agricultural production. However, numerous respondents noted that additional education, technical assistance and resources are needed to help farmers fully understand the benefits and feasibility of this approach.