Michigan farmers on solar power

In the Midwest, renewable energy projects, driven by President Biden's climate incentives, are creating tension in rural communities where farmers like Clara Ostrander are caught between the benefits of solar energy and local opposition. Ostrander, who decided to host a solar project on her 120-acre farm, faced backlash from neighbors concerned about property values and the visual appeal of their landscape. Despite opposition, she and others successfully pushed for a statewide permitting law in Michigan to override local zoning decisions, although this law is now facing challenges from opponents advocating for a referendum to return control to local authorities. Nationwide, similar conflicts have arisen, with 395 local ordinances used to block green energy projects across 41 states. Meanwhile, farmers like Matt Riggs in Illinois see solar energy as a potential lifeline for their struggling farms, with agrivoltaics emerging as a solution to co-locate solar panels and crops. As the trend towards renewable energy grows, the agricultural landscape is becoming increasingly contested, highlighting the need for balance between development and community needs.