Balancing renewable energy development and land protection

By: Erica Moser Date: Feb 20, 2025

three people sitting on chairs in front of an audience — University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Dean Andrew M. Hoffman, center, moderated a discussion with Jonathan Thompson and Grace Wu on tradeoffs in land use for renewable energy. (Image: Ashley Hinton/Penn Vet)

The Nature Conservancy in 2023 released its “Power of Place” study, laying out recommendations for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while avoiding negative impacts to ecologically sensitive lands. Contributor Grace Wu, assistant professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said that determining the sites of renewable-energy projects such as solar is an emerging concern, and that manufacturing may be outpacing demand for solar panels due to infrastructure constraints and land-acquisition hurdles.

In an Energy Week event, Wu and Jonathan Thompson, senior ecologist and research director at Harvard Forest, asked and addressed questions about energy siting. How can states meet carbon reduction goals without losing tens of thousands of acres of forest? How can solar arrays exist in harmony with—and even support—crop production?

They spoke during the solutions-oriented “From Forests to Farmlands: Navigating the Tradeoffs in Land Use for Renewable Energy,” sponsored by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. School of Veterinary Medicine Dean Andrew M. Hoffman moderated the discussion, an example of how Penn is fostering dialogue on the existential challenge of climate change, in line with the University’s strategic framework In Principle and Practice.

About Penn Vet

Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 34,600 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,200 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 18,700 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.