Micro Solar Leases: A New Income Stream for Black Farmers in the South?
Published Wednesday, February 14, 2024 By Daniel Walton
Micro solar leases are creating new income opportunities for Black farmers in the South by allowing them to host small-scale solar installations on their land, helping preserve generational farms and promote energy equity.
The Civil Eats article spotlights how micro solar leases—agreements for installing compact solar arrays—are helping Black landowners in the rural South generate passive income without giving up agricultural use. These projects, often led by organizations like EnerWealth Solutions and Roanoke Electric Cooperative, are tailored to small plots and designed to benefit historically marginalized communities. Farmers like Marion Mitchell in North Carolina are using these leases to stabilize finances, retain family land, and participate in the clean energy transition. The model also supports local energy resilience by feeding power into nearby electric co-ops. This approach addresses both climate and racial justice by ensuring Black farmers are not left behind in the renewable energy economy.
