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These are 5 disadvantages of solar farms
The agricultural land that is used for solar panels is a thorny issue. Agricultural organizations and governments are often not happy with it, because this land should be the last ground on which solar panels should be installed. At least, so it is argued.
On Tuesday 19 June, Minister Eric Wiebes (Economic Affairs and Climate) also addressed the above subject in a letter to the House of Representatives. But what are the disadvantages of solar farms?
1. Disproportionately high amounts are paid per hectare
The farmers sometimes receive up to €8.000 per hectare per year for making their land available. Amounts of $4.000 to $6.000 per hectare per year would be more normal. The high amounts are mainly paid for favorable locations; an example of this is a location where the connection to the electricity network is good. However, these prices are not in proportion to the yields normally obtained per hectare.
In the letter to parliament However, Minister Wiebes states that farmers with solar farms are not overcompensated. According to the minister, it is a question of supply and demand and it makes sense if the fees are higher if the location is more favorable.
2. Unfair competition using taxpayers' money
The high amounts paid for solar farms are partly paid for by government subsidies. If these amounts increase, the costs for the energy transition will also increase. The subsidies are a tricky issue anyway, because the farmers receive the promised sums of money for the longer term. However, there may also come a time when the subsidies will be sharply reversed.
That is the case in China. There, the policy on solar parks was reversed, because their growth was out of control. The substantial subsidies that were given are now being reduced or not given at all. It remains to be seen whether the promised amounts can be realized when the subsidies in the Netherlands are reduced.
3. They can cause environmental and soil pollution
From one German research it turns out that solar panels (due to rain) can leach toxic and heavy metals into the ground; examples of these are copper, cadmium, lead and tin. This could cause soil contamination, which is certainly not desirable on agricultural land. The strange thing is that European rules apply to this, but that solar panels are exempt from this. The aforementioned research is about solar panels cut into pieces and therefore does not necessarily say anything about complete panels. Nevertheless, it is mentioned that damage to solar panels can cause this leaching. The sealing of panels must also remain intact and the recycling must be done correctly. Most Dutch solar panel suppliers are responsible for this, but that is a different story for foreign suppliers.
4. Electricity network cannot handle new requests
In the north of the country in particular, it is a problem that the electricity grid does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate new applications. For example, the Financieele Dagblad reported that grid operator Liander in Friesland receives so many requests (for the connection of new solar parks) that only 10% of them can be honoured.
More direction from the government is needed to solve the problem, says Liander. However, it appears from the letter to parliament from Minister Wiebes that he wants to wait until the new climate agreement with government guidance.
5. It drives up the price of land
Land is sought after and scarce at the same time. If a lot of land is also taken up by solar farms, the supply will decrease and the land price rise† However, various brokers in the north of the country do not immediately notice the effect of this. Hans Peters, chairman of VBO Makelaar, does say that you will notice it sooner or later. "The energy targets must be achieved, so it cannot be stopped that more and more land is being used for these purposes."
Minister Wiebes also sees the risk of a rising land price. He is especially afraid of the consequences this will have for young farmers. Wiebes therefore wants unambiguous frameworks to guide the interests of project developers and farmers.
With caution
So there are several dangers lurking. There are of course more disadvantages to mention, such as the disfigurement of the landscape. The recommendation from the ministry, which states that other buildings must first be filled with solar panels, before the agricultural land is used, is therefore not surprising. It is also wise not to act too quickly, because once the solar panels are in place, you will not get them away so quickly.
Anne-Jan Doorn
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