Solar has minimal impact on NC farmland, new study shows

Solar production occupies just 0.24% of prime farmland in North Carolina at the moment.

By: Christine Zhu

Outlets: North Carolina Newsline

Published: June 26, 2026

Words: 655

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

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A new study is refuting claims by critics that the solar industry is taking over productive farmland and interfering with agricultural production.

“You travel across the state of North Carolina, and it’s occupying the best farmland in the state,” said N.C. House Agriculture Chairman Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) in a 2025 hearing on solar tax breaks.

The industry says the data shows that’s not the case: Solar production occupies just 0.24% of prime farmland in North …

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