[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 02-26-2024).]

Corn fields near Des Moines, Iowa.

Do people come from far and near just to see the monotony of these cornfields? Or seemingly endless, straight rows of lettuce or artichokes on flat land? Or flat acreages of wheat, as far as the eye can see? I think not. And I think there is a lot of agricultural land of this kind, all around the country, where solar installations or modern wind turbines would not be unwelcome intrusions, in terms of the visual aesthetics.

Of course, there are farms, orchards, ranches and the like, all around the country, that people do enjoy for the aesthetics of the scenery and the classic or vintage farm buildings and barns and other installations. Rolling hills. Rough hewn timber fences or old fashioned windmills. It's understandable that people would not want to see solar panel installations or modern wind turbines encroaching on these areas.

Remember that converting just 1% of U.S. farmland with agrivoltaic installations for dual use farming and solar energy is a figure to hang your hat on:

quote While agrivoltaics research is still in relatively early stages, harmonizing agricultural and solar energy interests has the potential to greatly benefit both industries. According to a 2021 University of Oregon study, converting just 1% of U.S. farmland to agrivoltaic systems would allow solar developers to reach upcoming renewable energy targets. For farmers, agrivoltaics create the rare opportunity to make agricultural land dual-use, allowing farmers to diversify income streams while continuing crop production. As interest continues to grow, developers should expect new and varied opportunities to implement agrivoltaics in future projects.

"Common Ground: Agrivoltaics Provide Mutual Benefits to Developers and Farmers"
Jordan Farrell and Bo Mahr for Husch Blackwell "Climate Solutions"; December 20, 2023.
https://www.climatesolution...cultural-production/

quote Originally posted by olejoedad: ... keeping the beauty of the countryside pristine and unspoiled by solar panels and wind turbine monstrosities.

[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 02-26-2024).]

quote Originally posted by rinselberg: Do people come from far and near just to see the monotony of these cornfields? Or seemingly endless, straight rows of lettuce or artichokes on flat land? Or flat acreages of wheat, as far as the eye can see? I think not. And I think there is a lot of agricultural land of this kind, all around the country, where solar installations or modern wind turbines would not be unwelcome intrusions, in terms of the visual aesthetics.

I have always wanted to run through a corn field, like in the movies... but I honestly don't have a problem with dual-use of the land as this proposes. I actually think it would be a good use of the land and could be beneficial to certain plants, so long as it doesn't increase the cost of farming. It could, actually... allow a greater use of existing farm land so as to protect natural currently undisturbed natural habitat. Most solar power fields are built on Federal or state-owned land... which is usually undeveloped land... thus resulting in pristine lands getting ruined.

So I think it could be a huge benefit, so long as the three things I mentioned in my first response to you, are mitigated (or considered).

But as I am not the ruler of the world (yet), all I can do is give you my opinion!


EDIT, instead of farm subsidies... the state and local governments could subsidize farmers in their state through the integration of solar panels.

[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 02-26-2024).]

[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 02-26-2024).]