The claim that solar energy projects will significantly reduce agricultural production and harm rural communities is misleading. In reality, solar energy uses only a minimal portion of U.S. farmland, and innovative practices like agrivoltaics provide opportunities to enhance both agriculture and energy production simultaneously.(1)According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2021 Solar Futures Study, even under the most ambitious solar deployment scenarios, solar installations would occupy approximately 1.15% of total U.S. farmland by 2050.(2) Additionally, many solar projects are strategically sited on non-agricultural land, further minimizing their impact on farming.(2)Agrivoltaics, the practice of using land for both solar energy generation and agriculture, demonstrates that solar panels and crop production can coexist and even benefit each other. Solar panels provide partial shade, reducing water evaporation and protecting crops from extreme heat. Studies have shown that crops like lettuce maintain high yields when grown under solar panels, with water usage reductions of 14-29%.(3) Moreover, solar farms can be designed to support biodiversity, including endangered pollinators, which help boost crop yields and promote healthier ecosystems.(4)