Germany Opens Farmland to Solar Power to Quadruple Capacity
Germany Opens Farmland to Solar Power to Quadruple Capacity
(Bloomberg) -- Germany is encouraging farmers to install solar panels alongside crops in a bid to accelerate the expansion of renewable power.
The government will support farmers in setting aside as much as 15% of their fields for solar power. The initiative could create some 200 gigawatts of additional solar capacity, compared with almost 60-GW now, the Economy Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
“This advances climate protection and at the same time keeps an eye on the interests of agriculture and nature conservation,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.
![Germany Opens Farmland to Solar Power to Quadruple Capacity](https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/iYlPhasF5ydo/v0/560x-1.png)
The plan will be part of a so-called Easter Package of proposals to advance Germany’s goal of generating at least 80% of its power from renewable sources in less than nine years. The share was about 45% in 2020.
Swamplands that were drained for agriculture can also be used for solar projects as long as the area is restored to help absorb carbon dioxide.
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