
Photo of commercial canopies from SunCommon. Photo contributed
GHENT—What if they could erect a solar farm as a canopy above a parking lot? It would shade the cars; shield pedestrians from rain; use an already disturbed site; and, not displace agricultural lands or, in the view of some, replace a bucolic view with an eyesore. What if a solar array on farmland could also host grazing sheep or a pollinator meadow? With solar infrastructure, the devil, or genius, is often in the details of siting and co-uses.
In December 2022, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106), now the chair of the Energy Committee, introduced a bill designed “to integrate local community needs with the state’s climate goals” in the siting of solar and other renewable energy projects.
According to Assemblymember Barrett, the “Smart Integrative Tools for Energy Development” (SITED) Act calls for the creation of a mapping tool to aid towns to identify and proactively designate the most suitable sites for renewable energy, as well as outreach and educational programs. The proposed mapping tool is modeled on one that was developed several years ago by the non-profit Scenic Hudson.
The state has set a goal to generate 70% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The solar generation of energy is a key element in meeting that goal. Read more…