What is “low-impact” solar development and why should communities care? How can you take advantage of sites with limited impacts on agriculture and natural resources?

This introductory workshop is the first in a series directed to help local governments and community stakeholders understand the low-impact development opportunities. Panelists will introduce Illinois communities to brownfield and mined land solar development opportunities and identify the resources and tools available to assist developers and communities interested in exploring low-impact clean energy deployment.

We will also host a discussion session to gather your thoughts and perceptions of solar development on these lands and to understand the technical assistance, information, and resources you may need to explore this opportunity for clean energy development.

Subsequent workshops in the series will discuss financial incentives for encouraging low-impact siting and community-focused solar on brownfields.

This workshop will be held virtually on February 16th from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Central.

Click here to register!

Workshop agenda

1. Introduction to low-impact solar siting.
2. The opportunity for low-impact siting on brownfields, mined lands, and landfills.
3. Regulatory authority over brownfields, mined lands, and landfills.
4. Technical solar capacity on brownfields, mined lands, and landfills.
5. Discussion.

 
Featured speakers

• Amanda Pankau, Director of Energy & Community Resiliency, Prairie Rivers Network
• Jeff Walk, Director of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy
• New: Nels Johnson, Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy, The Nature Conservancy
• Jacob Fink, Brownfield Program Administrator, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

 
Facilitators

• Valerie Stori, Senior Program Manager, The Great Plains Institute
• Brian Ross, Vice President, Renewable Energy, The Great Plains Institute

Additional Discussion Session
For those interested in continuing the discussion on solar brownfield and mined lands opportunities, GPI will hold an additional 30-minute facilitated discussion to review materials covered during the February 16 workshop, answer questions, and get your input for future workshops. Wednesday, February 21, 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Want to learn more about future webinars and view resources?
Click here to visit the new page for the webinar series!
 
About The Great Plains Institute
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) accelerates the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for the benefit of people, the economy, and the environment.