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The U.S. state of Arkansas could double its total solar power generation and still only require a very small fraction of the land to do so, according to an analysis by the University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture. Large-scale solar energy occupies 0.2% of Arkansass 5.5 million hectares of farmland, according to an analysis by the University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture. Therefore, the researchers concluded that solar installations are not considered a threat to Arkansass vital agricultural industry. The analysis aimed to address concerns raised about the displacement of agricultural land for non-food production purposes. “While it is generally considered to have a minimal impact on crop prices, there are other questions regarding impacts on proximal real estate values, exposure to climate risk, and land restoration considerations,” it stated. However, the primary threat to farmland loss is real estate development, not solar energy, according to the analysis. Arkansas is significantly dependent on agriculture, the analysis noted, and the aggregate share of the agricultural sector in Arkansass economy is 2.8 times that of the United States. “Given this dependence on agriculture, apprehension about converting agricultural land to solar lease use is natural, despite the land being reversible to agricultural land after 30 years and the potential for grazing small ruminants, preferably sheep, under the solar panels,” the analysis stated. “Furthermore, solar project development often generates significantly higher income levels for landowners than some types of agricultural production.” “Therefore, landowners can retain ownership of their private property rather than selling it for real estate development, which is the main threat to farmland loss,” the researchers said. Eleven Arkansas counties had utility-scale PV systems occupying as little as 0.2% to 1.3% of their farmland base in 2024, the analysis indicated. By 2026, the study said, four more counties will increase farmland occupancy to between 0.4% and 1.7% of their farmland base. The remaining 60 counties currently have no utility-scale solar projects. Arkansas could double the total power generated statewide from solar energy, adding 1.5 GW of solar capacity to the 1.5 GW currently generated from a mix of natural gas, coal, nuclear, and other sources, the researchers found, while requiring only a very small fraction of the land to do so. “Even under this extreme level of solar development, which is unlikely to occur, solar energy would use less than 1% of the state’s 5.5 million hectares of farmland,” the analysis stated. Furthermore, the analysis noted that current utility-scale solar projections through 2026 represent 0.2% of the state’s 5.5 million hectares of farmland. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 85% of crops and pastures near solar projects remained in agricultural production after solar panels were installed on the land. Solar energy can help achieve energy production goals because it is abundant and the technology to capture it is cost-effective, the analysis stated. The study also highlighted the use of agrivoltaics, the practice of locating solar projects and agricultural activity on the same area of ??land. Typically, solar installations are designed with raised profiles so tractors and animals can pass underneath, or with spaces between rows to allow for combined agricultural and solar production. Not only does agrivoltaics provide the landowner with two sources of income from a plot of land, but research finds it often benefits agricultural production, such as healthier soils and feed for grazing sheep. In 2007, the University of Arkansas became one of the first institutions to become a founding signatory of the U.S. College and University Presidents Climate Pledge, setting a goal of net carbon neutrality by 2040. The University of Arkansas signed a 25-year solar services agreement in 2022, which is expected to save millions of dollars in electricity costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8.8%. Utility-scale solar power has exploded in Arkansas in recent years. Of the 2.8 GW installed statewide, 1.1 GW will be added by 2024, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Solar Energy Industries Association. A 100 MW project began delivering solar power to the grid in December, and another 100 MW project, Redfield Solar, began operation in March. Redfield Solar will generate considerably more tax revenue than its previous use as a forest site due to the states timber tax exemptions, generating about $250,000 per year compared to the few thousand dollars it generated as a forest site. Arkansas ranks 16th in utility-scale solar capacity and 18th per capita. However, the Cornhusker State ranks 47th in solar jobs, with only 416 people employed in its solar industry. |
