CPRE research shows that two-thirds of mega solar farms are built on productive farmland

CPRE research shows that two-thirds of mega solar farms are built on productive farmland

Posted on Jul 15, 2025 by jsw  | Tags: Solar Energy, Solar Farms

CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has long been concerned about the increasing number of mega solar farms that are being built on good, productive agricultural land and the impact this has on our ability to grow our own food. 

CPRE’s latest national research shows that England’s most productive farmland is being lost to mega solar farms. As the country scales up on solar power, CPRE’s analysis shows that large-scale developments are putting vital agricultural land at risk, despite alternatives like solar on rooftops and brownfield sites.

• An area of England’s prime agricultural land—the size of 1,300 football pitches—has been lost to mega solar farms
• Three solar farms are located entirely on highest-grade farmland, removing a critical resource from food production

 You can read our research here https://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/getting-solar-off-the-ground/

You can read more about our views on agricultural land here https://www.cprecambs.org.uk/downloads/digging-deeper-to-value-our-farmland.pdf

At a time when food security is an issue of increasing concern we consider that allowing development on land that has agricultural value, regardless of its classification, is short-sighted and reckless.