1. Development of Solar PV Projects on Brownfields
November 8, 2017

2. The Solar PV Industry Today
Solar prices have dropped 70% since 2010
In 2016, Solar installed 39% of all new electric generating capacity, more than any other technology
Average Annual Growth Rate of 68% over last 10 years
Over 47 GW of total solar capacity now installed
Source:

3. Falling Prices and Growth of Solar
70% decline since 2010

4. Solar by State

5. Solar PV

6. Benefits of Solar on Brownfields
Returns land to productive and sustainable use
Generates income from sale of electricity
Provides developers with access to existing grid connection and other infrastructure
Preserves greenspace
Potential for development in more populated areas
Creates jobs
Increases property tax revenue
Reduces power plant emissions

7. Obstacles to Solar on Brownfields
Liability concerns
Legal expenses
Development timeline
Can be more costly and difficult to develop than alternatives
Compatibility with engineering and institutional controls and remediation

8. Screening Solar Sites Usable Acreage: ~6-10 acres per MWAC
Distance to electric distribution lines
Limited Shading: > 6 hours of direct sunlight
Site slope and topography
Adjacency to large power user
Community acceptance

9. Developer and Investor Considerations
Economics of Project
Potential Liability
Financial Incentives
Utility Rates
Institutional and Engineering Controls
Land Lease Rate
Timing / Stage of Remediation

10. Solar Incentives Federal Tax Credit Federal Accelerated Depreciation
30% of installation cost
Scheduled to phase out: 26% (2020), 22% (2021) 10% (2022)
Federal Accelerated Depreciation
State Solar Incentives
See
Utility Incentives
Net Metering / Tariffs
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

11. Additional Resources
EPA’s RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative (
EPA, Handbook on Siting Renewable Energy Projects While Addressing Environmental Issues ( renewable-energy-projects-while-addressing-environmental-issues)
EPA, Best Practices for Siting Solar Photovoltaics on Municipal Solid Waste Landfills ( photovoltaics-municipal-solid-waste-landfills)
DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Solar Technical Assistance Team (STAT) (
National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields: A Nuts and Bolts Primer for Local Governments (
State Environmental Regulators

12. Contact: Tully Blalock VP & General Counsel (404) solamericaenergy.com