Economic Research Service Releases Report on Solar Farm Land Use

The Economic Research Service released a report concerning the use of land for solar farms. The report notes that utility-scale solar farms have grown rapidly, producing over half of all solar electricity in the United States by 2020, and surpassed coal in May 2026. The report also discusses the potential downsides associated with these large, ground-mounted developments.

The report highlights that while solar power is a growing source of clean energy, large-scale farms present a set of consequences that require consideration. These developments involve covering hundreds of acres of land, which raises questions about land use and the broader impacts of rapid energy infrastructure growth.