The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released a new report to aid policymakers in siting community solar projects.
The report starts with the premise that community solar systems should be designed to result in ecosystem and agricultural benefits. SEIA recommends policymakers deploy existing well-established tools to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate any environmental impacts associated with community solar construction.
Well-designed community solar projects can result in increased crop and clean energy production, the report says. Community solar projects can also result in other benefits, such as protecting soils and providing habitat for many important species.
To avoid the worst impacts of climate change and meet aggressive renewable energy goals, states need to build significantly more community solar projects, according to SEIA. The framework in the report should be used by policymakers as they tackle the challenges of siting more solar projects to help them reach clean energy goals.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2015
ASHRAE, USGBC, IES consider biomass requirements in green building standard
The proposal would add biomass to approved renewables.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2015
New Appraisal Institute form aids in analysis of green commercial building features
The Institute’s Commercial Green and Energy Efficient Addendum offers a communication tool that lenders can use as part of the scope of work.
Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2015
ASHRAE, IAQA approve consolidation
Under the consolidation, IAQA will become a part of the ASHRAE organization while maintaining its own brand and Board of Directors.
Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2015
Obama executive order requires federal construction projects to consider flood damage caused by climate change
To meet the new standard, builders must build two feet above the currently projected elevation for 100-year floods for most projects.
HVAC | Feb 6, 2015
ASHRAE, REHVA publish guide to chilled beam systems
The guide provides tools and advice for designing, commissioning, and operating chilled-beam systems.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2015
AGC working with EPA on website to help with environmental rule compliance
The goal is for the site to be improved to make it easier for construction contractors to learn how to comply with federal and state environmental guidelines.
| Feb 2, 2015
New York law requires informing firefighters of wood truss construction
New York enacted a law that could make firefighting a bit safer by mandating property owners inform government and first-responders when they build or rehabilitate a building using "truss-type" pre-engineered wood or timber.
| Jan 14, 2015
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act renewed
President Barack Obama signed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act law on Jan. 12.
| Jan 8, 2015
Construction industry could be hurt by non-renewal of terrorism insurance bill
Insurance industry experts say without federal terrorism reinsurance in place for 2015, resulting canceled property/casualty insurance coverage and market chaos could be disruptive to the economy.
| Dec 18, 2014
Deal on 2015 budget slashes most federal construction spending
The $1.1 trillion funding bill for fiscal year 2015 approved by Congress makes deep cuts in some construction programs, but the General Services Administration suffered just a short haircut by comparison.
