Solar power project land

Should solar projects be located on public lands?

Additionally, laws enacted in many western states require energy companies to supply a portion of their energy from renewable sources. As a result, the BLM is seeing continued interest by solar developers to locate projects on public lands.

Why are public lands interested in solar energy development?

Climate change concerns, state renewable energy portfolio standards, investment tax credits, technological advances and decreasing equipment costs are drivers of interest in utility-scale solar energy development on public lands.

Are solar energy development projects permitted on BLM-managed public lands?

Solar energy development projects on BLM-managed public lands are authorized as rights-of-way under Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended consistent with appropriate BLM land-use plans. Regulations at 43 CFR 2800 identify requirements for solar development application and permitting.

Is solar energy a significant land use?

One concern regarding large-scale deployment of solar energy is its potentially significant land use. Estimates of land use in the existing literature are often based on simplified assumptions, including power plant configurations that do not reflect actual development practices to date.

What is the major solar projects list?

The Major Solar Projects List is a database of all ground-mounted solar projects, 1 MW and above, that are either operating, under construction or under development. The list is for informational purposes only, reflecting projects and completed milestones in the public domain.

How much land do solar power plants use?

For direct land-use requirements, the capacity-weighted average is 7.3 acre/MWac, with 40% of power plants within 6 and 8 acres/MWac. Other published estimates of solar direct land use generally fall within these ranges.