Native Vegetation and Solar Projects in South Dakota

Policy
Click the image to download.

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.