University:
Boston University
Course:
CAS EE 600 | Environment and Development: A Political Ecology Approach
Academic year:

2024
Views:

301

Pages:

16
Author:

eishuma5iuk

Google Headquarters 1.9 MW Installation, including rooftops and Carports (Mountain View, California) Abbot Labs Solar Campus 548 kW net metered carport system (Alameda, California) Eastern Long Island Solar Project 12.8 MW system across 21 acres and 6 different sites. Largest Carport system in NYS (Suffolk County, New York) McClellan Air Force Base USVA Hospital 558 kW rooftop and carport system (Sacramento, California) McClellan Air Force Base USVA Hospital Brownfields previously developed lands not currently in use The Usefulness of Brownfields • The unused and impervious space of brownfields makes them very viable for solar projects. • Brownfields exist all around the country • Many loans, grants, and even tax incentives are also given to applicants wanting to develop the land • Case studies exist to show the success of brown fields in being converted to solar facilities. Case Study Examples • Brockton Brightfields (Brockton, MA) • 1,395 photovoltaic panels on a 3.7-acre site • Generated nearly $145,000 in annual revenue for the city • Philadelphia Navy Yard (Philadelphia, PA) • 7-acre, 1.5 MW solar facility that powers 1,800 Homes Philadelphia Navy Yard Availability of Brownfields in Massachusetts Potential Host City: Springfield, MA Fitchburg/Gardner/L eominster, MA New Bedford, MA Taunton, MA Falmouth, MA Gloucester, MA Greenfield, MA Sturbridge, MA Williamstown, MA Provincetown, MA Population: 153,060 101,305 95,072 55,874 31,531 28,789 17,456 9,268 7,754 2,942 Distance to Nearest Public 24 Hour DCfast Stations: 21 mi 25 mi 47 mi 14 mi 20 mi 31 mi 20 mi 28 mi 35 mi 50 mi Potential Host Site: Century Shopping Center/Riverdale Shops/Springfield Plaza The Mall at Whitney Field Dartmouth Mall Taunton Library Falmouth Plaza Walgreens/CVS Mohawk Mall Shopping Center The Center at Hobbs Brook Williamstown College Museum of Art Province Lands Rd Parking Civic Center Garage Fitchburg State University Elm St. Parking Garage Trucchi Shopping Center Walmart (general mall area) City Hall Williamstown Public Library Province Lands Visitor Center Springfield Museums Fitchburg CVS New Bedford Public Library Rite Aid Sawyer Free Library John W Olver Transit Center Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center Williams College Provincetown Public Parking CityStage Central Valley Plaza Shopping Center State Pier Marine Terminal Falmouth Public Library Waterfront Parking Greenfield Public Library CVS The Williams Inn MacMillan Pier Parking Lot Springfield Amtrak Fitchburg City Hall City Hall Gus Canty Community Center YMCA Leominster Public Library Springfield Marriot Ferry Parking CVS Johnny Appleseed State Park Water Tower Plaza Leominster Walgreens Timpany Plaza/Gardner Plaza Shopping Center Hannaford Supermarket/Rite Aid (Gardner) Hampton Inn and Suites Hampton Inn Sturbridge Grace Hall Parking Lot Solar Trees • Solar Trees aren’t as much of a viable method of solar siting, but they do serve as excellent examples of how many creative solar options exist. • Much Smaller Scale and can be integrated anywhere • Provide shading and charging stations for phones • Dubai’s solar palm trees also function as tour guides and provide Wi-Fi Singaporean Solar Supertrees 250-acre eco-tourism project Vertical Gardens fitted with a solar panel on top The Solar panels provide energy to power the garden and the watering system A very interesting integration of nature and solar Super-Trees: Another Look Pairing Agriculture and Solar • Solar in certain places even has direct environmental benefits. • Solar on farms or the general pairing of agriculture and solar doesn’t sound very intuitive, however, native plants and vegetable gardens do have a place under solar panels • They promote biodiversity, food production, and generally increase the aesthetics of what would be grass fields. • They also supplement the lives and survival of pollinators • Allow for nutrient and land recharge of degraded lands, as well as extended growing periods. • Potential for water use reduction Infrastructure Unfortunately, one of the biggest things holding these solar alternatives back is infrastructure. It’s rather difficult to move solar-generated energy from one location to another. However, it’s a reality we’re going to have to face and it’ll, luckily, become more and more efficient as investments grow and the technologies are made more efficient. Roof and carport systems can still power entire facilities and right of way solar can still be carried to a nearby battery. Conclusion • There are indeed viable alternatives to deforestation for solar farms and there will definitely be more in the future. • Solar of all forms has unlimited potential. There doesn’t have to be a choice between renewables and maintaining our forests.