A Norfolk Labour MP has voiced concerns over his government's ambitions to create a string of Britain's biggest solar farms across thousands of acres of the county's farmland.
Terry Jermy, who represents the rural constituency of South West Norfolk, has raised fears that the projects - to help achieve ambitious net zero targets - risk undermining the country's food security.
He is calling for parliament to debate the wisdom behind the spread of vast solar farms, in a move that may put him at odds with others in his party.
There are currently plans in the pipeline for five mega solar plants in Norfolk - including the UK's biggest - which would total 174,000 acres, an area the size of 4,250 football pitches.
The proposed schemes - parts of which are in Mr Jermy's constituency - have prompted huge anger in surrounding areas.
His remarks could be seen as a plea for caution from his own energy secretary Ed Miliband, who is leading the charge to meet some of the most ambitious net zero targets in the world.
Mr Miliband has already given the green light to a number of large-scale solar farms, including in neighbouring Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, and sees the technology as a key part of the UK's energy mix.
The former Labour leader has said he will take "tough decisions with ambition and urgency" to achieve net zero targets and get cleaner, cheaper electricity.
And because of the scale of the four Norfolk schemes, he, and not local councils, will have the final say on whether they go ahead.
READ MORE: Hempnall villagers divided over East Pye solar farm
But Mr Jermy said there is a need for nuance over where such sites are permitted.
He said: "I'm proud of the work which local Norfolk farmers do to produce high quality food for the whole of the UK.
"I recognise that solar farms on poorer quality agricultural land can make a huge difference environmentally and economically and they should be a part of how we achieve energy security and reduce carbon measures.
"But food security is just as important, and we need to recognise the importance of high-quality agricultural land."
It is the second time in recent days that Mr Jermy has expressed concerns over government policy and its impact on rural areas.
Last week, he broke party ranks to cast doubt on ministers' assurances over the inheritance tax changes which farmers say will devastate their sector.
Mr Jermy, who defeated former prime minister Liz Truss to win the South West Norfolk seat at July's general election, has been identified in an analysis by the Telegraph as one of seven Labour MPs most at risk of losing their seats to a farmer-led backlash.
He said: "What I want to do is start a conversation which highlights how there are different land types and that we need to preserve the good quality farmland."
In response to Mr Jermy's call for a debate, which came during parliamentary business questions, Lucy Powell MP, leader of the House of Commons, said: "This government takes food security incredibly seriously because it is an issue of national security as well.
"We are committed to increase solar energy as well as part of our mission to get to a clean energy superpower by 2030.
"But, of course, we must strike a balance in doing so and that's why its so important that we hear from local MPs about these decisions."
Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, has described the series of plans for solar farms in Norfolk as an "attack" on the county.
The Conservative leader said the proposals were "deeply disturbing" and a "creeping abuse" of the countryside, urging communities to resist them.
One of the projects - for a 5,000 acre site on land between Long Stratton and Diss - would be by far the largest in the UK.
It is in its early stages but energy firms RPC and Elmya have sought permission to connect the facility to the National Grid near the village of Gissing.
The companies have not yet revealed exactly where the panels will be placed but say they are looking at sites "in the area".
In addition to the new Gissing project, there are also proposals for: East Pye, which will cover 2,700 acres around several villages near Long Stratton; an as yet unnamed 2,500 acre scheme, also near Long Stratton; High Grove, a 4,000 acre scheme near Dereham and Swaffham; and the Droves, spanning 2,800 acres on an adjoining site.
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