An Alarming Long-Term Side-Effect of Promoting Green Industry: A Case of Taiwan's Solar Policy (2016-2024)

• In Event: Developing Collaborative Environmental Policy Solutions in a Warming World

Abstract

In the quest to reduce carbon dioxide, a land conflict arises between industrial and agricultural policies, particularly concerning the adoption of ground-mounted PV systems. Using Taiwan as a case study, we illustrate how converting a portion of agricultural land to solar panels creates a ripple effect, ultimately leading to widespread disapproval of renewable energy in rural areas. Farmers experience negative externalities (e.g., loss of sunlight and produce, increased responsibility for maintaining irrigation ditches, and a heightened risk of fires) when neighboring lands are leased to solar power companies. These externalities reduce the potential profits from agricultural activities and increase the likelihood that affected farmers will lease their own land for solar power. Since these land-use changes are influenced by neighbors' decisions, we argue that subsidies for renewable energy can exacerbate land conflicts and foster discontent in the absence of a comprehensive land-use policy.

In addition to reviewing official documents, we conducted in-depth interviews with farmers and photovoltaic industry professionals in 2023–2024 to investigate causal mechanisms. Our findings demonstrate that government support to accelerate the adoption of green technologies, such as solar panels, can negatively impact public opinion and reduce electoral support for environmental policies in rural areas, particularly among farmers.

Authors

• Jou Fei Huang, Academia Sinica
  Presenting Author

• Thung-Hong Lin, Academia Sinica
  Non-Presenting Co-Author