Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy in the United States, with the potential to provide clean, affordable, and reliable power to communities and businesses. However, developing and implementing large-scale solar projects can pose significant challenges, such as financing, permitting, zoning, and community engagement. To help local governments and other stakeholders overcome these barriers, ICMA is working on the Solar@Scale project, in partnership with the American Planning Association and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

As part of this project, ICMA is working with solar stakeholders to develop and share case studies that showcase large-scale solar projects across the country, highlighting the key drivers, strategies, outcomes, and lessons learned from each initiative.

First installment of case studies

• Waste Not, Want Not: Transforming Landfills into Solar Powerhouses, Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, contributed by AC Power.
   
• Brownfield to Brightfield, Giving New Life to a Closed Landfill, Danville, Illinois, contributed by RACER Trust.

These case studies offer valuable insights for local governments and other stakeholders who are interested in pursuing large-scale solar projects in their communities. They also demonstrate the diversity and creativity of solar initiatives across the United States, and the benefits they can bring in terms of economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity.

To learn more about the Solar@Scale project, visit the ICMA Solar@Scale webpage and the Solar@Scale Guidebook.

If you have a project that you would like to be featured in future case studies, email Casey Gilmartin cgilmartin@icma.org for more information.