The Benefits of Smart Solar Development for Sustainable Agriculture
Introduction
The July 24 front-page article “Green energy hopes hit a red wall” highlighted the challenges faced in garnering support for President Biden’s clean-energy initiatives in conservative, rural Ohio. It also addressed the ideological opposition to solar development in the region.
The Need for Sustainable Solar Development
If implemented correctly, rural solar development can bring significant economic benefits to communities and farmers. However, it can also pose a threat to farmland, particularly the most productive and versatile land. This has led to local backlash against solar projects.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
The Scale of Solar Energy and Farmland
According to the Energy Department, the United States will require over 10 million acres of land to expand solar energy by 2050. The American Farmland Trust estimates that more than 80 percent of these solar installations could be located on agricultural lands.
The Solution: Smart Solar Development
A smart solar approach is essential to balance renewable energy generation with the preservation of productive farms and ranches. This approach involves guiding solar development to areas with minimal negative impact on farmland, ensuring that the land used for projects remains suitable for farming in the future. Additionally, it promotes “agrivoltaic” solar projects that allow for simultaneous farming and solar energy production on the same land.
Overcoming Objections and Maximizing Benefits
Despite ideological and other objections, the benefits of smart solar development outweigh the risks. By finding common ground, a smart solar approach can support continued solar development while protecting valuable farmland and sustaining rural communities in the long term.
About the Authors
- John Piotti, President and Chief Executive of American Farmland Trust
- Eric Greene, Annapolis
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
– SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
– SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
– SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
– SDG 13: Climate Action
– SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the following targets can be identified:
– Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
– Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
– Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
– Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land, and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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Source: washingtonpost.com
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