“One thing that is—and always will be—reliable is the sun. It comes up in the morning and goes down at night. You can depend on the sun in a way that you can’t trust politicians, rain, or commodity prices. And many farmers are taking advantage of the dependability of the sun, making reliable revenue with a new “cash crop”—solar energy.
It’s a trend that’s quickly spreading–and helping farmers keep their farms while diversifying their revenue sources. One example is North Carolina, which has been a leading solar state now for several years, with strong solar policies. A 2017 report by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association found that solar in the state generates 30% of the income of an average farm. That same report found that the typical annual rent payments for farmland by solar companies range from $500 to $1,400 per acre in North Carolina.
But expect solar to spread to other states and regions–with solar growth ready to take-off. Over the last several monthsWisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and New Mexico have introduced 100% clean energy legislation. Add to that similar clean energy friendly legislation in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia and it’s clear that solar has reached America’s heartland…”
For More: https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/05/harvesting-the-sun-is-the-new-cash-crop.html