# Plain Language Summary of the SOLAR Act

This bill prevents the U.S. Department of Agriculture from funding solar energy projects that would convert productive farmland into solar farms. Essentially, if a farmer or company wants USDA money to build ground-mounted solar panels on land that's currently used for growing crops or other agricultural purposes, they won't be able to get that federal funding. The goal is to protect America's farmland from being permanently converted to energy production.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. Small projects that only use less than 5 acres of farmland (or 1 acre, whichever is greater) can still get USDA funding, as long as the local county and city governments approve the project. Additionally, if a solar project will use more farmland than these thresholds allow, it can still receive USDA funding—but only if the developer creates and funds a detailed plan to restore the soil and farmland back to its original condition after the solar panels are removed. This plan must address soil health, erosion, and compaction damage that happens during construction and operation of the solar farm.

The practical effect is that solar developers who want USDA financial assistance will need to either keep their projects small, get local government approval, or commit significant money upfront to eventually restore farmland they use. For farmers considering solar projects, this means federal funding for large-scale solar farms on productive agricultural land will be much harder to access unless they're willing to invest in long-term restoration plans. The bill essentially tells the USDA to prioritize keeping farmland available for food and crop production rather than supporting its conversion to energy generation.

SOLAR Act

Bost, Mike

Securing Our Lands and Resources Act or the SOLAR ActThis bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from providing financial assistance for certain projects that would result in the conversion of covered farmland for solar energy production.Under the bill, covered farmland generally refers to prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland that is of statewide or local importance. Conversion means any activity that results in the covered farmland no longer meeting certain requirements for agricultural production, activity, or use.The bill includes an exception for certain smaller projects that have the approval or support from the local county and municipality. Any project that receives financial assistance from USDA under an exception must (1) develop a mitigation and remediation plan for the project (e.g., implementing best practices to protect future soil health and productivity), and (2) ensure that sufficient funds are provided for the decommissioning of the solar energy production system and the remediation and restoration of the farmland.