Hello, solar enthusiasts! Today, we’re going to dive deep into the recently updated Western Solar Plan that governs the leasing of US public land for solar purposes. This is crucial information for individuals and solar companies alike who are interested in the future of the solar industry in the United States.
The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released a draft analysis of the Utility-Scale Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. This extensive statement, commonly known as the Western Solar Plan, has primarily been developed to direct responsible solar development on public lands. First established in 2012, this milestone plan has recently gotten its first update after more than a decade.
Going deeper, the original document highlighted areas with high solar potential in six states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The recent iteration not only refines the analysis for these original half-a-dozen states, but also incorporates Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The result? Some 22 million acres across these 11 states that rank well for solar development.
Primarily aiming at reducing resource conflicts and protecting sensitive resources, the BLM’s solar development propositions focus on areas that are in close proximity to transmission lines. They’ve identified 200,000 acres of land near established transmission infrastructure and envision solar arrays for homes, solar panels for your home and large-scale solar projects to be developed here.
Ben Norris, vice president of regulatory affairs a notable figure in the solar industry, welcomes the BLM’s proposal stating it to be a “big step in the right direction”. He emphasizes the critical role solar is playing in our energy economy, considering the heightened attention globally on energy security, job creation, and conservation outcomes.
Other notable news from the BLM includes the initiation of several renewable projects in Arizona, California, and Nevada that represent over 1,700 MW of potential solar generation. As of now, under the current administration, BLM has approved 47 clean energy projects, sufficient to power more than 3.5 million homes.
The Solar Energy Industries Association predicts that the United States will add an optimistic 33 GW of solar capacity across the country in 2023. For upcoming solar companies and current industry players, this prediction clearly emphasizes that the solar industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years.
No matter if you’re looking into solar panels for your home or contemplating creating a solar array for home use, understanding the dynamics of the solar landscape is vital. Stay tuned for more insightful updates from the world of solar!
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/18/us-government-identifies-22-million-acres-for-solar-in-western-states/
