Municipal Planning for the Coming Solar ExpansionWhile PA’s solar power industry is rapidly growing, government regulation of solar power remains in its infancy. Pennsylvania currently has no state laws or regulations for solar arrays. This leaves local municipalities as the first line of regulation for solar collection systems. The following are just a few of the important issues for municipalities to keep in mind as they attempt to provide appropriate regulation of solar facilities.Use a good definition. Municipalities should be forward-looking in defining solar use to control ancillary uses and construction such as storage and distribution of energy. An increasing amount of solar array… read more »
Going Solar — The Impact of Solar Power on You and Your Community
Negotiating the Right Lease York and Adams Counties are among Pennsylvania’s leaders in proposed solar production; between them, over 5,000 acres are currently targeted for solar project development, with more on the way. Landowners should be wary when preparing to enter into a long-term solar lease for their valuable land and resources. When dealing with solar energy companies, it is critical to seek sound legal advice to assure success and avoid poor decision-making. The following are just a few issues in solar leasing which require careful consideration and experienced legal assistance: Get the right terms. Solar leases generally cover twenty to fifty years. In such a long… read more »
Going Solar — The Future of Solar Power in PA
Solar energy generation is here in Pennsylvania, and it is growing. Currently, developers in PA have over 370 solar projects in process, requiring 60,000 to 80,000 acres of land for solar generation. The Commonwealth’s PULSE program, recently announced as part of Governor Wolf’s GreenGov initiative to advance renewable power, is the largest solar commitment by any government in the U.S. to date and proposes to generate fifty percent of the State Government’s electricity needs. The PULSE ProgramThe PULSE program will be powered by seven solar arrays constructed in six central PA counties including York and Adams Counties. York and Adams Counties… read more »
