The Great Plains Institute works with local governments across the Midwest, and nationally, to help communities prepare for utility-scale renewable energy development. We’ve partnered with counties to host workshops across the Midwest and developed several guides tailored to states in the region. Through these conversations with local government staff, elected officials, and community members, we heard about similar concerns and the need for more information on specific topics related to utility-scale solar and wind siting.
GPI staff developed fact sheets to provide resources to counties and states on four of the commonly raised topics in our conversations about utility-scale solar and wind siting: system end of life (with an emphasis on repowering and decommissioning), recycling and waste, hybrid projects (including battery storage considerations), and solar co-benefits. These issues are relevant for communities in the Midwest as well as many other parts of the country.
Download the fact sheets:
Renewable Energy System End of Life: Repowering and Decommissioning
This fact sheet explores what happens to renewable energy system infrastructure, as well as the land on which systems are sited, when the system reaches its end of life and how communities can prepare in advance.
For additional information on repowering and decommissioning, check out this blog post: Repowering and Decommissioning: What Happens in Communities When Solar and Wind Projects End?
Recycling and Waste Considerations for Solar and Wind Energy Systems
What happens to solar and wind systems when they retire? This fact sheet discusses recycling and waste from solar and wind energy systems, and implications for local communities.
Hybrid Projects and Battery Storage: Implications and Opportunities
As hybrid projects become increasingly attractive to meet energy system needs, this fact sheet addresses the implications of co-locating generation fuels and opportunities for communities.
Harnessing Co-Benefits for Solar Development
This fact sheet outlines the tremendous opportunities to alter solar system design and siting practices to capitalize on potential co-benefits vs. an approach that prioritizes maximum system function.
For additional information on solar co-benefits, check out these blog posts:
- Solar Energy & Natural Systems: Exploring Co-Benefit Opportunities
- Solar Energy & Agriculture: Pursuing Win-Win Opportunities
- Solar Plus: How Solar-Integrated Agriculture Could Reduce Barriers to Large-Scale Solar Deployment
GPI staff have also worked with our partners across the Midwest to develop state siting guides that focus on statewide policy, market, and economic considerations for solar and wind development in several states in the region.
- Iowa Solar and Wind Siting Guide
- Michigan Solar and Wind Siting Guide
- Minnesota Solar and Wind Siting Guide
- Wisconsin Solar and Wind Siting Guide
- Indiana Solar and Wind Siting Guide*
*these state guides are forthcoming, pending review from state partners
For a summary of other local considerations and context for utility-scale solar and wind siting in the Midwest, check out these posts from the GPI team:
- Engaging Communities on Utility-Scale Wind & Solar Development in the Midwest: Part I, Market Drivers
- Engaging Communities on Utility-Scale Wind & Solar Development in the Midwest: Part II, Local Considerations
- Engaging Communities on Utility-Scale Wind & Solar Development in the Midwest: Part III, Local Readiness and Decision-Making
If you are interested in hosting a utility-scale wind or solar workshop or would like more information on relevant resources available to your community, please reach out to: Jessi Wyatt, Energy Planner and Analyst | [email protected] | 612-400-6292
