Report on the Role of Renewable Energy in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Rural America

Introduction: A Synthesis of Energy, Economy, and Sustainability

The integration of renewable energy systems, specifically wind and solar power, into rural American landscapes presents a significant opportunity to advance multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These projects serve as more than sources of clean energy; they are critical economic lifelines that enhance food security, promote decent work, build resilient communities, and drive climate action. This report analyzes the contributions of renewable energy to rural sustainability and examines the potential impact of shifting federal policies.

Economic Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation (SDG 1 & SDG 8)

Enhancing Farm Viability and Income Stability

Renewable energy installations provide a crucial mechanism for diversifying farm income, directly contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by creating economic resilience against agricultural market volatility and climate-related challenges.

• Stable Revenue Streams: Landowners receive stable lease payments for wind turbines, historically ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per turbine annually, secured through long-term contracts of 20-30 years.
• Significant Economic Contribution: Nationwide, wind and solar projects generate approximately $3.5 billion in annual lease payments and taxes, providing a direct financial buffer for rural landowners.

Stimulating Rural Economic Growth and Job Creation

The renewable energy sector is a powerful engine for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), creating jobs and stimulating local economies.

• Employment Opportunities: The U.S. wind industry supports over 300,000 jobs in construction, manufacturing, operations, and maintenance.
• Local Business Support: The construction and operation of energy projects boost local businesses, including trucking, concrete work, and electrical services.
• Manufacturing Hubs: Rural areas have become centers for manufacturing renewable energy components, such as turbine blades in Iowa and solar racking systems in Ohio, further embedding economic benefits within these communities.

Affordable, Clean Energy and Climate Action (SDG 7 & SDG 13)

Accelerating the Transition to Clean Energy

The expansion of wind and solar power is fundamental to achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by increasing the share of renewables in the national energy mix and reducing operational costs for agricultural producers.

• Dominance in New Capacity: In 2024, renewable sources accounted for 93% of all new electricity-generating capacity in the United States.
• Reduced On-Farm Costs: Solar installations power energy-intensive farm operations such as irrigation pumps, grain dryers, and cold storage, lowering electricity costs and enhancing operational efficiency.
• State-Level Leadership: In Iowa, over 60% of the state’s electricity was generated from wind in 2024, showcasing the feasibility of a large-scale clean energy transition.

Policy Impacts on Sustainable Energy Progress

Federal policy plays a determinative role in the pace of renewable energy adoption. Recent legislative changes threaten to reverse progress toward SDGs 7 and 13.

1. Previous Incentives: The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act provided significant tax credits and grants that made renewable energy projects, particularly farm-scale solar, financially accessible.
2. Rollback of Support: A 2025 federal spending bill initiated a phase-out of the Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit, eliminating key financial incentives for new projects.
3. Project Viability at Risk: The termination of these credits increases the upfront cost of wind and solar installations, which could slow new development, limit access for farmers, and potentially lead to higher energy prices.

Fostering Sustainable Communities and Food Security (SDG 2 & SDG 11)

Strengthening Community Infrastructure and Resilience

The economic benefits of renewable energy extend beyond individual farms to fortify entire communities, aligning with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• Funding Public Services: Tax revenues from wind and solar projects are a major contributor to local government budgets, funding schools, roads, and emergency services.
• Significant Tax Contributions: In Howard County, Iowa, wind turbines generated $2.7 million in property tax revenue in 2024, representing 14.5% of the county’s budget. In several rural Texas counties, clean energy projects contribute between 38% and 69% of the local tax base.

Innovating for Food and Energy Co-location

The practice of agrivoltaics directly supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enabling the dual use of land for both agricultural production and solar energy generation.

• Efficient Land Use: Agrivoltaic systems allow for the cultivation of crops or the grazing of livestock beneath elevated solar panels, maximizing land productivity.
• Synergistic Benefits: The shade from solar panels helps conserve water and can create a more favorable microclimate for certain crops, enhancing agricultural output while generating clean energy.
• Diversified Production: This model provides farmers with two distinct income streams from a single parcel of land, strengthening their financial stability and contributing to a resilient food system.

Conclusion: The Imperative to Sustain Renewable Energy Momentum

Renewable energy development in rural America is a powerful, multi-faceted tool for achieving integrated sustainable development. It simultaneously addresses poverty (SDG 1), food security (SDG 2), clean energy access (SDG 7), economic growth (SDG 8), community resilience (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13). The rollback of federal incentives threatens to halt this progress, jeopardizing a vital source of income, employment, and public funding for rural communities. Continued support for renewable energy is therefore essential for ensuring the long-term environmental and economic sustainability of rural America.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on renewable energy in rural America touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by highlighting the interconnectedness of energy, economic stability, community development, and sustainable agriculture.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text focuses on the expansion of wind and solar power as key sources of electricity and the economic mechanisms (tax credits, grants) that make them affordable. It explicitly discusses increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix and providing affordable power to farms.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article emphasizes the economic benefits of renewable energy projects, including job creation and income diversification. It details how these projects provide stable income for farmers and create jobs in manufacturing, construction, and maintenance, thereby boosting rural economies.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  By providing a “lifeline” to farmers through steady income from land leases for turbines or solar panels, renewable energy helps ensure the economic viability of farms. This financial stability supports food producers, which is crucial for maintaining food security. The mention of “agrivoltaics” also points to innovative practices that support both food and energy production on the same land.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the development of sustainable infrastructure (wind farms, solar installations) and the growth of related industries. It mentions specific manufacturing plants for turbine blades and solar racking systems, showcasing innovation and industrial growth in the clean energy sector.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The text highlights how renewable energy projects contribute to the sustainability of rural communities. The tax revenues generated from these projects fund essential public services like schools, roads, and emergency services, stabilizing local government budgets and improving the quality of life in these areas.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  Although not the central theme, the entire discussion is framed within the context of shifting to clean energy to address “climate pressures.” The article discusses federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, which are designed to promote renewable energy as a climate change mitigation strategy.

Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   The article directly supports this target by stating, “In Iowa, for example, over 60% of the state’s electricity came from wind energy in 2024,” and that in 2024, “93% of all new electricity generating capacity was wind, solar or energy storage.”

2. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

   The article explains how renewable energy provides a diversified income stream for farmers, stating it offers “steady income and affordable power, helping farms stay viable when crop prices fall or drought strikes.” The adoption of agrivoltaics is presented as an innovative, dual-use system for land.

3. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

   This is evidenced by the mention that “The U.S. wind industry supports over 300,000 U.S. jobs across construction, manufacturing, operations and other roles,” and that projects bring “local jobs in trucking, concrete work and electrical services.”

4. Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.

   The article shows progress toward this target by describing how wind and solar projects provide “stable lease payments” for landowners, which “were around US$3,000 to $5,000 per turbine per year, with some modern agreements $5,000 to $10,000 annually.” This directly increases and stabilizes farm income.

5. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.

   The construction of wind farms and solar installations described in the article represents the development of sustainable energy infrastructure that supports rural economic development.

6. Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.

   The article focuses on strengthening rural economies, noting that “wind and solar projects contribute about $3.5 billion annually in combined lease payments and state and local taxes,” which directly supports rural development and public services.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 7.2: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

  The article provides specific data points, such as “over 60% of the state’s electricity [in Iowa] came from wind energy in 2024” and “93% of all new electricity generating capacity was wind, solar or energy storage.”

• Indicator for Target 8.3: Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex. (Implied: Formal Job Creation)

  The article provides a direct measure of formal job creation: “The U.S. wind industry supports over 300,000 U.S. jobs across construction, manufacturing, operations and other roles.”

• Indicator for Target 2.3: Average income of small-scale food producers. (Implied: Additional Income)

  The article quantifies the additional income for farmers through “stable lease payments” that “were around US$3,000 to $5,000 per turbine per year, with some modern agreements $5,000 to $10,000 annually.”

• Indicator for SDG 11: Proportion of financial support to the least developed countries that is allocated to the construction and retrofitting of sustainable, resilient and resource-efficient buildings. (Implied: Local Government Revenue)

  While not about LDCs, the principle of financial support for sustainable communities is measured. The article states that in Howard County, Iowa, “wind turbines generated $2.7 million in property tax revenue in 2024, accounting for 14.5% of the county’s total budget.” In Oldham County, Texas, “clean energy projects provided 22% of total county revenues in 2021.”

• Indicator for SDG 9: Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita. (Implied: Growth of Manufacturing)

  The article implies growth in manufacturing by citing the reopening of “Iowa turbine blade factories like TPI Composites… and Siemens Gamesa” and the operation of rural companies like “APA Solar Racking,” which are direct results of renewable energy policies.

Summary of Findings

Source: technical.ly