Committee members raise concerns about prime farmland loss, lease payments and property tax impacts from solar development

Several members told the committee they are concerned about conversion of prime agricultural land to utility‑scale solar and the economic consequences for rural communities.

Representative Tom Murphy asked about use of agricultural land and about the potential for "solar fencing" along transportation rights‑of‑way; Bob Eliff said he would check the record on prior proposals and research. Murphy noted research he saw at a University of Minnesota conference that examined solar fencing as an alternative to using tillable acres.

Representative Paul Anderson raised the effect of lease payments and said he had heard figures ranging from about $1,000 to $1,500 per acre on 20‑year leases, which he said would be difficult for farmers to match in lease revenue. Representative Murphy added that a county commissioner reported property taxes rising roughly 20 percent in an area after several solar farms came in, a change he said could harm farm viability.

Chair Chris Wazinski and other members said the committee will examine policy options to protect prime farmland and to weigh competing uses for land, including siting near transmission or in rights‑of‑way where appropriate. Staff and members noted existing work to study permitting and siting alternatives and said they would pursue more information from agencies and the University of Minnesota research.

Members asked staff to gather data on the number and location of community solar projects, acreage converted to solar, and any available research about alternative siting such as highway right‑of‑way or solar fencing.