Speak Up: Question of the Week responses: Farming or solar?

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Interest in the placement of solar arrays on land now used for farming is on the rise in Delaware. Those favoring the practice mention the right of the owner to use the property for existing business opportunities, and others say that it preserves open space from development and can be returned to farmland later. Many point out it’s a solution to ongoing energy issues in a time of extreme weather and temperatures. Opponents decry it as a change from the heritage of the region, with nonfarming activity and the loss of farmland. One elected official argued against companies paying more to lease solar array sites, saying it pushed out those who would rent the land to farm and was “a market driven by a government mandate.” Where do you land on this topic? Is it an either-or situation — only farming or only solar facilities — or is there middle ground in this discussion?

Farming. Put solar on the rooftops of commercial and industrial buildings. — Jeannie Groff Fabi

In the long run, we are at risk for the “tipping points” in the atmosphere of the Earth that, if left unchecked, will result in Earth-wide disasters. The presence of solar farms helps by letting us gradually shut down the burning of fossil fuels for electric power. — Ted Spickler

While I can understand the financial benefit to the farmers for doing this, I think with more and more farmers doing this, it will create shortages of fruits and vegetables in the future. America needs its farmers. — Stan Sipple

“Agrivoltaics” is a technical term for using land for both solar energy and crops, with everything from mushrooms to broccoli growing beneath arrays. This has proven beneficial for farmers, in some cases increasing yields, reducing water use and adding another income stream from energy production. — Tommy Bou

I believe that the government of Delaware should continue to provide funds to keep farmland as real farms. China’s share in all the key manufacturing stages of solar panels exceeds 80% today, and for key elements, including polysilicon and wafers, this is set to rise to more than 95% in the coming years, based on current manufacturing capacity under construction. China also has been buying farmland here in the USA. If we continue to change our farms to solar farms, we will be more dependent on other countries for our food, while filling the coffers of China. That is the country that a four-star general in the Air Force said he believes we will be in war with in 2025. — William Falzareno

 

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