Check Out Our Passport Courses
Passport is your ticket to the training, experiences, and connections that will take you where you want to go in your planning career. Subscribe for unlimited access for one year to APA's extensive learning library of solution-oriented content facilitated by planners, for planners.
-
Solar and Grid Stability: A Primer for Local Governments
October 2012This briefing paper discusses the technical aspects of integrating distributed solar energy into the grid. -
Municipal Energy Financing: Lessons Learned
May 2010by: John FarrellThis briefing paper discusses property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs as an option for municipalities to finance renewable energy projects. -
Lessons Learned: Community Solar for Municipal Utilities
December 2016This briefing paper reviews approaches and strategies for municipal utilities interested in developing community solar projects. -
Buying Clean Electricity: How Cities Benefit from Power Purchase Agreements
September 2018by: Jessica Leung, Amy BaileyThis briefing paper explores the power purchase agreement (PPA) model as an approach to purchasing renewable energy. -
State Pollinator-Friendly Solar Initiatives
January 2020by: Georgena TerryThis briefing paper is designed to help state officials and policy advocates understand existing state policies and initiatives aimed at protecting or expanding pollinator habitat through solar development. -
Recommendations for Utility-Scale Solar Developers: Best Practices for Land Use and Zoning Project Approval
March 2018by: Maggie ClarkThis briefing paper is designed to help solar developers in North Carolina and Virginia plan and implement large-scale solar projects. -
Solar Best Practices for Cities in the South
Solar Initiative Policy Brief 2015This briefing paper presents recommendations to help cities support solar development on public and private property. -
Solar in Remote Applications in the U.S.: Challenges and Implications for Local Solar Policy
June 2014by: Toby Couture, Jolanta Jasina, Chad LaurentThis briefing paper is designed to help local government staff and officials understand how solar development can increase grid resiliency in isolated communities. -
Leasing Municipal and Private Property for Solar: Key Steps and Considerations
March 2012This briefing paper is designed to help local government staff and officials evaluate opportunities to lease public land for solar development. -
Steps to a Successful Solar Request for Proposal (RFP)
October 2012This briefing paper is designed to help local governments develop successful request for proposals (RFPs) for solar projects. -
The Environmental Review of Solar Farms in the Southeast
March 2017by: Lauren BowenThis briefing paper summarizes the key features of environmental review processes for large-scale solar development projects in the Southeastern U.S. -
Land Use Considerations for Large-Scale Solar
SolSmart Issue Brief, November 2020by: Electric Power Research InstituteThis briefing paper summarizes stormwater management challenges and potential vegetation management solutions for large-scale solar development. -
Approaches to Balancing Solar Expansion and Farmland Preservation: A Comparison across Selected States
EB 2018-04, May 2018by: Travis Grout, Jennifer IfftThis briefing paper addresses the growing need to manage and balance conflicts of interest between farmland protection and solar energy expansion. -
Smart Solar Siting Principles and Examples of Land Use Laws that Support Renewable Energy While Protecting Farmland
May 2019This briefing paper is designed to help planners draft land-use and development regulations that balance solar development and farmland preservation goals. -
Smart Solar Siting for New England
September 2020This briefing paper is designed to help local officials and planners to protect farmland while encouraging solar energy development. -
Integrating Solar Energy into Local Development Regulations
Solar Briefing Papers 4by: Ann Dillemuth, AICP, Darcie White, AICPThis briefing paper provides planners, public officials, and engaged citizens with an overview of three aspects of integrating solar energy into local development regulations. -
Integrating Solar Energy into Local Plans
Solar Briefing Papers 3by: David Morley, AICP, Brian Ross, AICP, Darcie White, AICPThe purpose of this paper is to provide planners, public officials, and engaged citizens with an overview of established and emerging approaches to integrating references to solar energy into local plans. -
Solar Community Engagement Strategies for Planners
Solar Briefing Papers 1by: Ann Dillemuth, AICP, Sarah Baldwin, Chad LaurentThis briefing paper will show how planners can initiate a community conversation about solar energy, respond to common solar myths and misconceptions, and better engage and educate community members about solar energy systems. -
Balancing Solar Energy Use with Potential Competing Interests
Solar Briefing Papers 5by: Erin Musiol, AICP, Kimberly KoolesThis briefing paper focuses on historic properties and historic districts, as planners have indicated that this is where they have experienced the highest potential for conflict. -
Recycling Land for Solar Energy Development
Solar Briefing Papers 6by: David Morley, AICPThe purpose of this briefing paper is to provide planners, public officials, and engaged citizens with an overview of considerations and strategies for cities and counties hoping to promote or pursue solar energy projects on vacant properties with little current demand for reoccupancy or conventional redevelopment. -
Solar Mapping
Solar Briefing Papers 2by: Erin Musiol, AICPA solar map is an internet-based tool that helps educate and inform users about solar technology by estimating the solar energy potential of building sites or open land and providing information about associated benefits.
Showing 1 - 21
of 21