However, as more large-scale projects come forward, important questions are being raised about land use, food production and how renewable energy developments fit into the wider rural economy.

These issues will be brought into focus at a new cross-party Solar Summit in Norfolk, hosted by Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman, who spoke at this year’s Low Carbon Agriculture Show. The summit follows a surge in solar farm applications across the county, including proposals for some of the UK’s largest projects.

George Freeman has consistently argued that renewable energy and food production must work together, rather than compete for the same land.

“I am not opposed to solar, and recognise we need to increase renewable energy generation, but we also need to ask whether the sheer scale and cumulative impact of the current proposals for Norfolk are right,” said Mr Freeman MP.

“Norfolk is home to some of the country's best agricultural land, surely it is madness to be considering taking this out of action for decades when food security remains a key issue in the UK.”

The debate reflects a challenge being faced across the country: how can Britain increase renewable energy generation while protecting productive farmland, rural businesses and local communities?

Beyond the solar arrays themselves, developments often require associated infrastructure such as substations, cabling, battery storage facilities and access roads, all of which can have an impact on landscapes and local services.

For counties such as Norfolk, where tourism contributes more than £3 billion annually and agriculture and agri-food businesses generate a further £3.5 billion, these are important considerations.

Yet the conversation is not simply about whether renewable energy should happen – it is about where, how and alongside what other land uses.

This is exactly the type of discussion taking place at the Low Carbon Agriculture Show, where farmers, landowners, policymakers and industry experts come together to explore practical, balanced solutions for the future.

From rooftop solar and on-farm battery storage to anaerobic digestion, wind energy, future fuels and integrated land-use models, the event examines how renewable technologies can complement productive farming while supporting both profitability and environmental goals.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to low-carbon farming. Every business is different, and finding the right balance between food production, energy generation, biodiversity and commercial resilience is becoming one of the defining challenges of modern agriculture.

Low Carbon Agriculture provides a platform for those conversations, bringing together diverse viewpoints, innovative technologies and real-world experiences to help farmers make informed decisions about the future of their businesses.

Join us at Low Carbon Agriculture to explore how renewable energy and food production can work hand in hand to create a resilient, profitable and sustainable future for British farming.

Register your interest today!