21 Gigawatts of Solar for California Land That Can No Longer Be Used for Agriculture - CleanTechnica

The Westlands Water District in California’s San Joaquin Valley has announced plans to repurpose approximately 21 gigawatts of solar power capacity on land that can no longer support irrigated agriculture. This initiative, known as the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan, aims to utilize fallowed, dry land for solar power plants, thereby supporting renewable energy development while preserving water resources for the most productive agricultural areas. The district emphasizes that this approach will help sustain the long-term viability of agriculture in the region by allowing farmers to focus limited water supplies on resilient farmland amid ongoing drought and water scarcity challenges. California law AB 2661, enacted in September, authorizes the Westlands Water District to develop, construct, and own solar generation, battery storage, and transmission facilities as part of this plan. The law also mandates the adoption of a community benefits plan, which involves collaboration with local communities and typically includes payments to neighboring areas impacted by the projects. The Westlands Water District is the largest agricultural water district in the U.S