ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Researchers at Cornell University say more solar energy fields are needed to meet future renewable energy goals.
New York’s 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act says the state must have 70% of their energy be renewable by 2030, and reach 100% by 2040.
Researchers believe solar-power developers need to explore using lower-quality land, find dual-use land, and encourage communities to contribute to the goals. Dual-use land is the combination of using farming land for both agriculture and solar energy.
There is also the threat of solar farms becoming too concentrated in regions. This could lead to negative economic activity for businesses who depend on farming in the region.
