Statesboro Senator Billy Hickman leads efforts to balance solar development and farmland conservation in Georgia

Unitedboro Senator Billy Hickman is a leader in navigating the changing landscape of solar projects in Georgia and their implications for farmlands. With a surge in solar initiatives across the state over the past decade, from individual rooftop installations to expansive utility-scale deployments such as solar farms, Senator Hickman’s role is paramount in ensuring sustainability. Senator Hickman’s role was first featured in a Capitol Beat story.

One of the dominant models in the solar industry involves farmers leasing their land to solar companies, which then oversee the development and operation of solar farms for a set period of time. Alternatively, some solar companies own the land outright and supply the generated energy to utility providers. Notable companies such as Nashville-based Silicon Ranch sell electricity generated from their solar farms to Green Power EMC, a significant supplier of renewable energy to Georgia’s electric member cooperatives.

Georgia currently ranks seventh in the nation in total installed solar capacity, generating 5,936 megawatts of energy. This significant expansion of solar infrastructure was made possible by investments from 250 solar companies, which contributed a significant $6.5 billion to the state’s economy and created more than 5,000 jobs.

Highlighting the critical need to protect farmland in the face of an increasing number of solar farms, especially in regions like southwest Georgia that are known for prime agricultural land, Senator Hickman emphasizes the importance of balancing renewable energy development with sustainable agricultural development.

In response to concerns about the large acreage taken up by solar farms and their long-term consequences for agriculture, the General Assembly recently passed legislation requiring solar energy companies to return leased land to its natural state when the lease expires. The measure, included in House Bill 300, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2024, also requires companies to provide financial security for the renovation process.

Senator Hickman eloquently states: “We won’t have all the answers, but hopefully we will learn a lot more. It will probably be more about raising awareness about the need to protect agricultural land.” This sentiment underscores his commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding around the intersection of solar energy development and farmland conservation.

Senator Hickman chairs a Senate research committee charged with delving deeper into the impact of solar projects on farmland. The commission’s inaugural meeting will be held in Statesboro, followed by sessions in Cornelia and two locations in southwest Georgia. The commission’s goal is to synthesize insights and recommendations aimed at protecting farmland while supporting the sustainable development of solar energy. Senator Hickman’s leadership has been instrumental in promoting responsible solar energy practices and protecting Georgia’s agricultural landscape for future generations.