SOLAR Act

House Bill

H.R. 1592

119th Congress

SOLAR Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 26, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Christopher H. Smith

Representative

Republican

NJ-4

Cosponsors

4

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

The SOLAR Act restricts USDA financial assistance for projects converting prime farmland to solar energy production. It protects prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland of state/local importance from conversion to solar installations. Small projects under 5 acres or under 50 acres for on-farm use are exempt, as are projects with local government approval that include farmland conservation plans and decommissioning funding.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The SOLAR Act restricts USDA financial assistance for projects converting prime farmland to solar energy production. It protects prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland of state/local importance from conversion to solar installations. Small projects under 5 acres or under 50 acres for on-farm use are exempt, as are projects with local government approval that include farmland conservation plans and decommissioning funding.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Securing Our Lands and Resources Act or the SOLAR ActThis bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture 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 result in the conversion of (1) less than 5 acres of covered farmland, or (2) less than 50 acres of covered farmland if the majority of the energy produced by the project is for on-farm use.The bill also includes an exception for projects that have the approval or support from the local county and municipality. For these projects, the applicant must (1) develop a farmland conservation 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.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Prohibits USDA financial assistance for solar projects on prime farmland
Protects prime, unique, and locally important agricultural land
Exempts small projects under 5 acres from restrictions
Exempts projects up to 50 acres if primarily for on-farm energy use
Allows exceptions for locally-approved projects with conservation and decommissioning plans
Requires farmland conservation plans protecting future soil health

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill addresses the tension between renewable energy expansion and agricultural land preservation. It could slow solar development on productive farmland while protecting food security. Farmers would still have options for on-farm solar and locally-approved projects with proper safeguards. The bill may redirect large-scale solar to less productive lands, potentially affecting solar industry economics in agricultural regions while preserving farmland for future generations.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Related Subjects

Agricultural conservation and pollution

Alternative and renewable resources

Farmland

Land use and conservation

Soil pollution

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1592, 119th Congress (2025). "SOLAR Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1592