“As corporate demand for renewable energy soars, that is creating new tensions in farm country. One issue pitting some neighbors against each other is where to site large solar power developments. Some farmers embrace the steady income they can generate. Others worry about taking farmland out of production. From member station WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Chris Welter reports.
CHRIS WELTER, BYLINE: The Midwest is experiencing a bit of a solar energy boom. Land here is relatively cheap and flat. And with solar panel technology constantly improving, there’s enough sun to make it practical and profitable. Add to that big corporate demand for renewable energy. There are now dozens of huge solar developments already online and hundreds more being planned. With that comes increasing tension about where to site the panels. Ohio farmer Lamar Spracklen was surprised by that tension.”
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Kelly, Mary Louise. National Public Radio 29 December 2021.