As Maryland legislators look to the state’s wide-open spaces as a possible source for achieving renewable energy goals, a new University of Maryland report suggests that balancing land conservation—including farms—with green energy production is possible, but will require clearer guidelines and a coordinated approach.
Conducted by researchers from UMD’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC) and the National Center for Smart Growth (NCSG), the report reveals the nuances of employing agrivoltaics—which sites solar and agricultural production on the same piece of land—and the need for a clear regulatory framework for determining where co-location makes sense. Key findings and recommendations were developed for lawmakers, state agencies and the public.
Supported by a $125,000 grant from UMD’s Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, the one-year study analyzed the state’s current land use, examined existing regulations and interviewed key stakeholders, including farmers, solar developers, state agencies and local government. While the study found that Maryland has ample acreage to accommodate solar projects, many of the best-suited areas are working farms; successfully managing the state’s priorities of protecting its agricultural industry with its target of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035 will require clear policy, oversight and collaboration among all stakeholders.
“We know there is enough land to meet the state’s solar goals, but that comes with tradeoffs unless it’s done in a way that’s intentional,” said NCSG Data Science Director Chester Harvey, who co-led the study with EFC Climate and Sustainability Program Director Brandy Espinola. “So, let’s be intentional.”
While agrivoltaics is gaining traction in Maryland among farmers and lawmakers alike, it has raised questions about the feasibility and economic impact on the state’s agricultural industry. The report points to success stories in other states who have combined solar production with table crops, or raising sheep, but who have different climates, soil and farming methods than Maryland (the state primarily grows cash crops like corn, soy and wheat).
The landscape is further muddied by ownership; 30% of farmers in Maryland rent the land they cultivate. While solar can be very lucrative and attractive to landowners, there may be less trickle-down to the actual farmers. The policy piece, and what the state wants to see on the ground, needs to be very explicit, said Espinola.
“This shouldn’t be purely market driven,” she said. “In many cases, farms are appealing for solar because they are the easiest and the cheapest land to develop, but it doesn’t consider the tradeoffs. Continuing business as usual without clearer state priorities could leave farmers - especially tenant farmers - at risk.”
Maryland is early enough in the process, said Espinola, to lay the necessary groundwork to ensure farmers are secure and have the necessary information to make informed decisions. Local pilots would yield more insight into the economics, opportunities and shortfalls of dual land use. The report also suggests that legislators first look to existing development, like rooftops, big box stores and parking garages, as a frontline source for solar energy generation.
“These two things have been pitted against each other, and they don’t have to be,” said NCSG Director Kathryn Howell. “We’ve just got to be creative and the incentives have to be right.”