Land Use Conflicts Between Wind and Solar Renewable Energy and Agricultural Uses

21 Pages Posted: 25 Feb 2022 Last revised: 6 Apr 2022

See all articles by Jesse Richardson

Jesse Richardson

West Virginia University College of Law

Peggy Kirk Hall

Ohio State University (OSU)

Whitney Morgan

West Virginia University - College of Law

Date Written: January 1, 2022

Abstract

The terms “solar farm” and “wind farm” could not more perfectly demonstrate the inevitable pairing of renewable energy and agriculture as uses of land. At the same time, harvesting the sun and wind and converting both to energy forms usable to mankind are far from traditional agricultural practices. This paper first reviews the issues arising between renewable energy and agriculture when siting the two uses, highlights results of research on the status of state laws in place that weigh the interests of renewables and use of agricultural lands, and compiles recommendations from existing laws, recent state bills, as well as leading resources on siting renewables on agricultural lands, including model code language.

This paper was first published by the National Agricultural Law Center and is also available from their website: https://nationalaglawcenter.org/center-publications/renewableenergy/#solarfarm

Keywords: land use, wind, solar, agriculture, solar farm, wind farm, renewable energy

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JEL Classification: K10, Q15, Q4

Suggested Citation

Richardson, Jesse and Kirk Hall, Peggy and Morgan, Whitney, Land Use Conflicts Between Wind and Solar Renewable Energy and Agricultural Uses (January 1, 2022). WVU College of Law Research Paper No. 2022-004, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4042235

Jesse Richardson (Contact Author)

West Virginia University College of Law ( email )

101 Law School Drive
Morgantown, WV West Virginia 26506-6130
United States
3042939460 (Phone)

Peggy Kirk Hall

Ohio State University (OSU)

Blankenship Hall-2010
901 Woody Hayes Drive
Columbus, OH OH 43210
United States

Whitney Morgan

West Virginia University - College of Law ( email )

101 Law School Drive
Morgantown, WV West Virginia 26506
United States

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