USDA Solar and Wind Projects on Farms

planned

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will heighten scrutiny of some solar and wind projects on U.S. farms, moving away from funding larger renewable energy facilities. Wind and solar projects will not be eligible for certain USDA loan programs if they exceed specific size limits or cannot document historical energy usage. The USDA will also prohibit the use of solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries in funded projects. The agency aims to ensure that energy units are right-sized for farms and to keep prime farmland affordable by limiting large-scale solar farms on productive farmland.