W. Scott Buckley’s Post

If we can't clearly and compellingly describe the benefits that #solar developments can bring to rural communities, we're fighting an increasingly uphill battle in farm country. Importantly, distinguish between #agrivoltaic, community solar, and utility-scale projects. American Farmland Trust's research has found that there are drastically different perspectives on solar, depending on its scale and integration into existing agricultural operations. This article is a great snapshot of how the tension between the growth of solar energy deployment and the fabric of rural America is playing out in Pennsylvania communities.

MAREC Action is in Richmond, VA today at Senator Dave Marsden's energy conference. One of the topics of discussion is solar siting reform - here's a picture of Sun Tribe CEO Danny Van Clief talking about the fact that land use approval is the single most important risk factor in solar development - it is more important than land control, interconnection, managing construction risk, etc. "Right now it is totally subjective and discretionary and veers into the ideological. A business plan requires some level of predictability and the standards you are beholden to. And that varies from locality to locality and even during the application process. And that is why development is slowing down and that is troubling for Virginia". We are glad these conversations are happening and there is movement in Virginia to address these issues.

Today, I am attending the 2024 New York Solar Energy Industries Association conference. I got the opportunity to listen to a panel by each of the principals at New York State’s energy and utility bodies: Rory Christian, CEM, CEA (New York Public Service Commission), Justin Driscoll (New York Power Authority), Doreen Harris (NYSERDA), and Matthew Ketschke (Con Edison). Some insights I gathered on the scope of the energy and decarbonization landscape in our state: ⚡️There’s a need to build new substations and interconnection capacity between planned offshore wind and central Brooklyn. We already have one such project underway in the construction of the Eastern Queens Idlewind substation, and Con Edison is pumping $2 billion annually to construct this infrastructure. 🔋 From NYPA, research is underway to investigate how battery storage could help phaseout dirty peaker plants, which serve to provide baseload energy capacity in the generation mix. Once the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) comes online, delivering hydropower from Canada to downstate New York, choosing which peaking plants to retire will be easier. 🏡 As all of us followers of NYC Local Law 97 know, upfront capex financing of building retrofits remains a huge challenge. NYSERDA is channeling $7 billion of funds to help with these costs, but we need to do more to leverage federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to do so. 🗳️ NYPSC is helping to lead the way on energy democracy and empowering consumers with choice in their energy demand. As Chair Christian said, it’s not only about governance of supply-side energy generation, but improving agency on the demand-side too. With tools like automatic metering to provide real-time feedback to households on their energy use, and opportunities to plug into community solar projects, communities can feel confident about their role and agency in taking an active part in the energy transition. #energy #energyeconomics #newyork #climate #greeneconomy #locallaw97 #decarbonization

Sound state community solar programs contribute to environmental justice, cost savings for working families, job creation, grid reliability and climate goals. Just last week, Maryland announced a second round of grants for community solar projects in the state’s overburdened, underserved, low-to-moderate income communities. By passing strong legislation that funds programs such as this, Maryland has become a national leader in community solar.     Other states like #California should look to Maryland as a blueprint for success. California enacted legislation in 2022 intended to boost community solar, but the Public Utility Commission has failed to publish rules that would unlock the vast community solar market in the state. Our hope is that the PUC will take advantage of this great opportunity to promote billions of dollars in investment and clean energy for Golden State residents.    We are strong supporters of Maryland’s approach and we hope others, including California, follow Maryland’s lead.      #Solar #MarylandSolar #CaliforniaSolar #CommunitySolar #cleanenergy #energytransition

As the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse approaches, commercial property owners and managers in Northeast Ohio need to be aware of potential challenges that could arise during this celestial event. Here are several issues that could affect commercial properties: https://ow.ly/P4IS50R4VgP

What drives us is Illinois’ strong commitment to energy equity. Through programs like *Illinois Solar for All*, the state is ensuring that low- and moderate-income households, who’ve historically been left out of the clean energy movement, can finally access the benefits of solar. No rooftop panels, no upfront costs—just affordable, renewable energy. This program is transforming who gets to participate in the clean energy future. The greatest achievement of Illinois' community solar initiative is that it puts power—literally and figuratively—in the hands of those who need it most. By lowering utility costs for underserved communities, we’re helping to bridge the gap between environmental progress and economic equity. This isn’t just about energy savings; it’s about ensuring clean energy access for all. I’m proud of the role our team plays in making this vision a reality across Illinois. #CommunitySolar #CleanEnergy #IllinoisSolarForAll #EnergyEquity #EconomicInclusion #Sustainability #AffordableEnergy #EnvironmentalJustice

🎙️“Energy communities have historically borne a disproportionate burden of pollution over the past century…solar facilities on landfills present a unique opportunity to revitalize these areas, repurposing previously unusable land into clean energy hubs.” - John Finnerty, Director of Business Development for Standard Solar John captures one of the reasons why our team embraces brownfield solar projects: the benefits to the surrounding communities are so very apparent. This newest acquisition of a 5.7 MW array on a New Jersey landfill from Trinasolar is anticipated to generate about 8,000 MWh of clean energy upon completion in late 2025. The Pennsville Landfill will help mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of the past 6 decades of operations of the nearby generating station and result in significant long-term tax revenue for the local community. Huzzah all around!💚😎 https://hubs.li/Q02RD0Wb0 #PoweringTheEnergyTransformation #communitysolar #commercialsolar #assetacquisition #solarpv

As the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse approaches, commercial property owners and managers in Northeast Ohio need to be aware of potential challenges that could arise during this celestial event. Here are several issues that could affect commercial properties: https://ow.ly/Xu5O50R4VgL

As the future of #communitysolar in the Golden State hangs in the balance, the California Public Utility Commission can choose two paths: The first is to double down on failed programs of the past that have resulted in virtually no new community solar development in years. The second is to lead the nation with a state-of-the-industry program that would result in the development of 8 GW of community solar plus storage projects across the state, bill savings for more than 1 million low-income customers, and a tremendous infusion of private capital to build out public infrastructure. “We know from past mistakes [the first path is] not the way to scale up, it’s not the way to leverage private investment, and it’s not the way to get to the clean energy goals that California has set for itself.” Read more from Derek Chernow in Utility Dive: https://lnkd.in/gT4f-euQ