SEIA Launches Interactive U.S. Land Use Map Showing Solar Occupies Just 0.07% of Farmland Amid Farm Bill Debate

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has launched a new interactive map illustrating the relationship between solar energy development and agricultural land use across the United States, highlighting that solar occupies only a small fraction of the country’s farmland while supporting rural economic development.

The mapping tool, released as discussions continue over the U.S. Farm Bill in Congress, is designed to provide data-driven insights into land use and address concerns surrounding the expansion of utility-scale solar projects on agricultural land. According to SEIA, the tool compares solar’s land footprint with other major land uses, including suburban development and golf courses, demonstrating that solar development has a relatively limited impact on farmland.

SEIA stated that many solar installations across the country incorporate dual-use agricultural practices such as livestock grazing and pollinator-friendly vegetation, allowing agricultural activities to continue alongside renewable energy generation. The association also noted that solar projects provide farmers and private landowners with a stable, long-term source of income while remaining reversible through project decommissioning at the end of their operational life.

According to the data presented in the map, solar currently occupies approximately 0.04% of total U.S. land area and 0.07% of the nation’s farmland. The analysis further shows that no U.S. state has more than 0.5% of its prime farmland dedicated to solar development.

SEIA’s findings also indicate that nearly every state contains more abandoned prime farmland than prime farmland used for solar projects. Nationally, there are 43 acres of abandoned prime farmland for every acre developed for solar. The report further notes that golf courses occupy 2.6 times more prime farmland than solar projects, while low-density suburban development since 2014 has converted nearly six times more prime farmland than solar installations.

The association said the interactive resource is intended to help farmers, landowners, policymakers, local governments, and renewable energy developers make informed decisions regarding responsible land use. SEIA added that the map complements its broader portfolio of land-use research, guidance documents, and best practices aimed at supporting sustainable solar and energy storage deployment while preserving agricultural productivity.