Across the U.S., the solar industry is booming. Solar project sites often occupy several acres of land and are projected to cover 3 million acres by 2030. To produce 1 megawatt of electricity (enough to power between 100 to 150 homes in South Dakota), utility-scale solar plants may require between 5 and 10 acres of land. Combining solar projects with perennial native vegetation (including naturalized, non-invasive species) offers an opportunity for project owners to demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship.
In addition to providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators, investments in native vegetation (including non-invasive, naturalized species) on solar project sites provide ancillary benefits, such as improved soil health and water quality, while also sequestering carbon.
