{"id":26190,"date":"2026-02-24T04:46:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nations-largest-solar-farm-advances-in-california-on-unused-farmland\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T04:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:46:41","slug":"nations-largest-solar-farm-advances-in-california-on-unused-farmland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/nations-largest-solar-farm-advances-in-california-on-unused-farmland\/","title":{"rendered":"Nation&#8217;s Largest Solar Farm Advances in California on Unused Farmland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771926400442.png?resize=1%2C1&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26189\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>California is advancing plans for what will become the nation&#8217;s largest solar energy facility, utilizing agricultural land that has remained unused due to water restrictions.<\/p><p>The massive renewable energy project will be constructed on farmland that growers have been forced to leave unplanted after California implemented regulations limiting excessive groundwater extraction from underground water sources that farmers had previously depended on for irrigating their crops.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>California is moving forward with the country&#8217;s most massive solar energy facility on agricultural land that has been left unused. The farmland sits idle due to state regulations limiting groundwater pumping that farmers previously relied on for crop irrigation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":26189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[838],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771926400442.png?fit=1%2C1&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-6Oq","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27744,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/california-farmers-turn-to-solar-as-water-restrictions-force-land-changes\/","url_meta":{"origin":26190,"position":0},"title":"California Farmers Turn to Solar as Water Restrictions Force Land Changes","author":"Admin","date":"February 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Agricultural producers in California are embracing massive solar energy projects as new state water regulations force them to leave farmland unused. The shift represents a major change for farming communities dealing with increasingly limited water access.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Agriculture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16485,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/eastern-shore-leaders-voice-concerns-over-new-solar-energy-law-impacting-farmland\/","url_meta":{"origin":26190,"position":1},"title":"Eastern Shore Leaders Voice Concerns Over New Solar Energy Law Impacting Farmland","author":"admin","date":"July 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0MARYLAND \u2014 Senate Bill 931, effective July 1, introduces new regulations supporting solar energy but raises alarms among farmers and officials on Maryland\u2019s Eastern Shore. The law prevents local governments from creating zoning restrictions on solar developments, a move some say limits community control over land use. Delegate Wayne Hartman,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/farm-and-soybean-field-in-north-central-minnesota-2025-06-26-22-11-21-utc-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/farm-and-soybean-field-in-north-central-minnesota-2025-06-26-22-11-21-utc-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/farm-and-soybean-field-in-north-central-minnesota-2025-06-26-22-11-21-utc-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/farm-and-soybean-field-in-north-central-minnesota-2025-06-26-22-11-21-utc-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/farm-and-soybean-field-in-north-central-minnesota-2025-06-26-22-11-21-utc-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":59824,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/tennessee-solar-farm-tests-cattle-grazing-under-panels-for-clean-energy-future\/","url_meta":{"origin":26190,"position":2},"title":"Tennessee Solar Farm Tests Cattle Grazing Under Panels for Clean Energy Future","author":"Admin","date":"April 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A Tennessee solar company is pioneering a new approach by allowing cattle to graze beneath solar panels, potentially revolutionizing how clean energy and agriculture can work together. The innovative project could help farmers earn additional income while meeting growing electricity demands without harming the environment.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Agriculture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777562926700.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777562926700.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777562926700.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777562926700.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17410,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wicomico-county-applauds-new-federal-policy-to-protect-farmland\/","url_meta":{"origin":26190,"position":3},"title":"Wicomico County Applauds New Federal Policy to Protect Farmland","author":"admin","date":"August 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"SALISBURY, MD \u2014 Wicomico County is celebrating a significant policy shift announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, aimed at preserving prime farmland. On August 19, 2025, in Lebanon, Tennessee, Secretary Rollins unveiled a new USDA policy that will no longer allow taxpayer funds to support solar panels\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollins-gio.jpg?fit=413%2C340&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17168,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/solar-expansion-on-marylands-eastern-shore-raises-concerns-about-farmland-loss-and-local-control\/","url_meta":{"origin":26190,"position":4},"title":"Solar Expansion on Maryland\u2019s Eastern Shore Raises Concerns About Farmland Loss and Local Control","author":"admin","date":"August 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"EASTERN SHORE, Md. \u2014 As solar energy projects continue to grow on Maryland\u2019s Eastern Shore, Wicomico and Worcester Counties are seeing both economic opportunities and serious concerns about the future of agricultural land. Wicomico County is home to several large-scale solar projects, including the Porter Mill Solar Project, which will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/aerial-view-of-a-solar-farm-producing-clean-renewa-2024-12-01-17-34-05-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/aerial-view-of-a-solar-farm-producing-clean-renewa-2024-12-01-17-34-05-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/aerial-view-of-a-solar-farm-producing-clean-renewa-2024-12-01-17-34-05-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/aerial-view-of-a-solar-farm-producing-clean-renewa-2024-12-01-17-34-05-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/aerial-view-of-a-solar-farm-producing-clean-renewa-2024-12-01-17-34-05-utc-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53629,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/policy-changes-leave-delaware-region-farmers-struggling-with-solar-energy-plans\/","url_meta":{"origin":26190,"position":5},"title":"Policy Changes Leave Delaware Region Farmers Struggling with Solar Energy Plans","author":"Admin","date":"April 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Agricultural producers across the country, including those in the Mid-Atlantic region, are facing significant challenges with solar energy projects due to recent federal policy shifts. Changes to tax credits and rural energy programs have forced some farmers to abandon solar installations while others scramble to meet new deadlines.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Agriculture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776433213604.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776433213604.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776433213604.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776433213604.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26190"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26190\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}