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New Issue Brief: Land Use Considerations for Large-Scale Solar
A new issue brief highlighting strategies that can help communities and local governments develop policies and guidelines on large-scale solar that can realize both environmental and economic benefits.
SolSmart has released a new issue brief highlighting strategies that can help communities and local governments develop policies and guidelines on large-scale solar that can realize both environmental and economic benefits.
Energy development is the largest driver of land-use and land-cover change in the United States. Today, one of the leading forms of this new development is large-scale solar projects. Land selection is a key aspect of the solar development process with numerous considerations that can impact the project’s design and economics. For municipalities and county governments, providing jurisdictional guidance to the solar development community can help influence associated land selection and use decisions in ways that offer local benefits and encourage environmental stewardship.
The issue brief, Land Use Considerations for Large-Scale Solar, is intended to educate local governments and community stakeholders interested in supporting solar development. Topics covered include: 1. Key challenges posed by stormwater runoff and mitigation measures that can be incorporated into project development processes. 2. Vegetation management concepts and their tactical application, including an Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) strategy.
The SolSmart issue brief is accessible here.
