Solar farms on agricultural fields will be restricted

Monday, 30 March 2026 07:00

Politicians have voted for a series of policy changes that aim to discourage against agricultural land being used for ground-mounted solar panels.

States members have voted that there be a 'presumption against solar ground mounts on agricultural land'.

23 were in favour, 19 against.

They also voted that the next Island Plan needs to protect agricultural land from solar ground mounts, and that the use of government-owned buildings for solar arrays be 'promoted' by Ministers' policy.

Deputy Montfort Tadier brought the proposals before the States Assembly, along with a petition with more than 800 signatures.

He originally wanted solar farms on fields to be 'prohibited'.

Deputy Alex Curtis said prohibition is too 'draconian', and that there is a difference between 'whole fields' of arrays, and farmers using disused tracks or unsuitable ground.

The first solar farm was switched on in May 2025 in St Clement, with two further developments at Sorel in St John and Rue d'Olive in St Mary.

Ground solar arrays have been a point of contention, both in the States and in communities, as two applications have been drawn up and either paused or abandoned.

READ: Opponents ask if St Mary solar plans have been 'abandoned'

READ: Jersey Electricity drops St Martin solar farm idea

Recently, the government announced that Jersey Electricity will use the rooftops of some public buildings to generate electricity.

READ: Solar panels to be installed on some public buildings

Environment Minister Steve Luce says prioritising sustainable power can provide security amid global uncertainty:

"The cost of one source of power that will not be changed is locally produced solar, regardless of the fact that it would supply security of supply, it will supply electricity at a constant price, one unaffected by external pressures."