LTE by Ruth M. Amundsen, CCAN Action Fund Volunteer from Norfolk, initially published in The Virginia Pilot.

Re “Solar growth asks too much of Virginia’s rural communities” (Other Views, Jan. 26): A recent opinion piece suggests that solar energy expansion harms Virginia’s agricultural communities. In reality, solar power is not only essential to securing a healthy future but presents a unique opportunity to empower rural economies.

Solar energy and agriculture can work hand-in-hand. Far from being a threat, solar can provide a complementary source of income for farmers, helping them offset the volatility of crop revenue while preserving their land for future generations.

Solar installations offer farmers a temporary use of land that can be returned to agricultural production later, unlike development that permanently removes farmland. Farmers can benefit from a 30% federal solar tax credit as well as depreciation, making the transition a financially sound option. This solution is particularly relevant as Virginia’s farmland continues to shrink. Farming can be integrated with solar, known as agrivoltaics. Virginia recommends plants for solar farms in their Pollinator Smart program.

Rather than losing land that has been in families for generations, farmers can adopt solar to help maintain their property, keep it productive, and provide a steady source of income.

By embracing solar, Virginia’s farmers can not only help combat climate change but also ensure the long-term viability of their land. Solar and agriculture can coexist to ensure a sustainable future for Virginia’s rural communities.

Ruth M. Amundsen, CCAN Action Fund Volunteer from Norfolk, VA.