Solar Power Replaces Crops: California Farmers Turn to Energy

California’s drylands are turning a new leaf as farmers trade fields for panels. The plan envisions 200 square miles of solar arrays that could light up whole cities, with giant batteries keeping the power steady when sun is scarce. Farmers in the Westlands region, long dependent on irrigation from distant rivers and underground aquifers, now face a water crunch. A new state law limits deep‑well pumping, and the old canal delivers less water because of droughts and competing demands. Many acres lie idle, and some are too wet to irrigate without harming wildlife with excess selenium. Enter Golden State Clean Energy, a developer that pitched the idea of a massive solar complex to the Westlands Water District. The proposal hinges on building huge transmission lines that can carry electricity from the valley to Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. Smaller projects fail because they cannot justify such costly lines, the developer argues.The district’s board approved the plan after years of negotiation and environmental review. While construction could stretch a decade, the project promises steady income for farmers who otherwise would struggle to sell their land. “We see it as a new crop—harvesting electricity, ” says one farmer who will lease his fields to solar companies. Local residents, however, worry that the shift away from agriculture will cut jobs and leave their towns without benefits. The mayor of Huron, a nearby community, calls for a share of the solar revenue to fund education and training in the new industry. Discussions about a community benefits package are underway but details remain scarce. Experts note that Westlands could become a model for other California farms that must reduce groundwater use under the new law. If successful, more rural areas might follow suit, turning unused land into clean‑energy assets while preserving some traditional farming.