| Historic agreement unites diverse stakeholders to revolutionize large-scale U.S. solar development
File image of a large solar farm in California as seen from space.
Historic agreement unites diverse stakeholders to revolutionize large-scale U.S. solar development
by Staff Writers
Palo Alto CA (SPX) Oct 16, 2023
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In a landmark accord, major solar developers, conservation groups, agricultural organizations, environmental and environmental justice groups, and tribal entities announced their agreement to advance large-scale U.S. solar development while championing land conservation and supporting local community interests. The agreement is the result of a 20-month "Solar Uncommon Dialogue" convened by Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
The agreement marks a major turning point in resolving conflicts over developing major U.S. solar projects and related conservation and community concerns.
Over the next 10 years, U.S. solar energy output is expected to increase five-fold, helping to address climate change and bring clean and affordable energy to more communities. The rapid increase in utility- scale solar also means that the industry must address various issues, including agricultural land conversion, wildlife and habitat impacts, and community engagement. The Solar Uncommon Dialogue agreement stresses that the development of large solar projects must be transparent, equitable and efficient and acknowledges that this will require many trade-offs.
Signatories to the Solar Uncommon Dialogue agreement have committed to improving large-scale solar development based on the "3Cs": climate, conservation, and community.
+ Climate emphasizes minimizing carbon emissions through clean energy sources, like solar energy and other tools, including natural climate solutions;
+ Conservation seeks to minimize impacts on natural and working lands; and
+ Community commits to equitable distribution of renewable energy project benefits.
The signatories are convening six working groups that will address key issues and opportunities including community engagement, siting-related risk assessment and decision-making, energy and agricultural technologies, tribal relations, and policy solutions.
These working groups will focus on advancing the 3Cs via improved public participation practices, solar siting mechanisms, regulation, financial incentives, information tools, and other means. The goal is to create best practices that solar companies, local governments, and other stakeholders can use to effectively site solar projects.
"Major U.S. solar projects are critical to fighting climate change but are increasingly opposed across the nation due to significant community and land conservation concerns," said Stanford energy scholar Dan Reicher, who launched and leads the solar Uncommon Dialogue. "It's exciting how motivated the parties are to avoid these conflicts and develop high-impact solutions - a triple play for climate, conservation, and community" added Reicher, who was U.S. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
As the solar and storage industry grows, it's critical that we prioritize local engagement," said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). "We are thrilled to join our partners in this landmark agreement to help us quickly, responsibly, and equitably deploy solar and storage projects. We're confident that by thoughtfully addressing stakeholder concerns from the start, we'll be able to deliver the equitable clean energy future we need to see."
"We're committed to accelerating the renewable energy buildout and have to go smart to go fast," said TNC CEO Jen Morris. "Bringing environmental groups to the table ensures that we strike the right balance, delivering clean en
ergy solutions while safeguarding our precious natural resources and communities."
The solar agreement grew out of a Stanford-organized "Uncommon Dialogue," a convening of cross- sector experts and stakeholders designed to find common ground and build consensus around specific environmental challenges. A previous Uncommon Dialogue agreement on hydropower and river conservation led to $2.3 billion in federal funding for implementation of its working groups' recommendations.
The solar dialogue and agreement have already spawned a new Uncommon Dialogue to address challenges facing U.S. electricity transmission development for solar, wind and other new clean energy projects.
Learn more about the Solar Uncommon Dialogue and how to participate in a working group.
Artificial Intelligence Summary
Defense Industry Analyst: 9/10Stock Market Analyst: 7General Industry Analyst: 8Analyst Summary: In a historic agreement, major solar developers, conservation groups, agricultural organizations, environmental and environmental justice groups, and tribal entities have come together to advance large-scale U.S. solar development. This agreement, which is the result of a 20-month “Solar Uncommon Dialogue”, is a major turning point in resolving conflicts between developing solar projects and conservation and community concerns. Signatories of the agreement have committed to the “3Cs”- climate, conservation, and community. Climate focuses on minimizing carbon emissions while conservation looks to minimize impacts on natural and working lands. Community commits to equitable distribution of renewable energy project benefits. This agreement has the potential to revolutionize large-scale U.S. solar development and is a major step forward in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years. Correlations, Discrepancies, or Notable Similarities: This agreement is a major step forward in the space and defense industry over the past 25 years and is indicative of the shift away from traditional sources of energy, such as coal and oil, towards renewable sources such as solar. This agreement also demonstrates the importance of collaboration between different sectors in order to ensure the successful development of renewable energy sources. Investigative Question:- 1. What are the primary goals of the working groups convened by the signatories?
- 2. How will the agreement ensure that the benefits of solar energy development are equitably distributed among communities?
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How will the agreement help to reduce emissions and minimize impacts on natural and working lands?4. What are the potential implications of the agreement for the space and defense industry? 5. What strategies can be employed to ensure the success of the agreement?
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