Blogs

Rows of solar arrays in front of gently rolling hills, with a town on the horizon.

March 3, 2025

Wait, Who Approves Large-Scale Solar Siting?

Determining which agency ultimately has the authority to approve the siting of a new large-scale solar facility can be complicated. About half of all states have have established explicit limits on local siting authority, offer certain developers a way to bypass that authority, or maintain a parallel siting process.

September 25, 2024

Advancing Equity Through Solar Energy in Tribal Communities

Equity in Practice: Federal solar grants help power Tribal homes and create new job opportunities.

March 13, 2024

Big Batteries Are Changing the Energy Landscape

Spotlight on Zoning Practice: Is your community ready for battery energy storage systems to help store the sun?

February 2, 2024

Now Is the Time to Plan for Our Solar-Powered Future

Solar energy is on its way to being the dominant source of power, but a smooth transition isn't guaranteed. Check out the new third edition of the Solar@Scale guidebook for fresh guidance on planning for utility- and community-scale solar development.

April 25, 2023

When It Comes to Large-Scale Solar, Show, Don't (Just) Tell

There's no substitute for a good visualization when it comes to demystifying large-scale solar development.

March 6, 2023

Plan Now to Overcome Reflexive Opposition to Large-Scale Solar

Reflexive opposition to large-scale solar projects is on the rise in many parts of the country. Start planning now to avoid the reactive trap.

January 24, 2023

Updated Large-Scale Solar Guidance from Solar@Scale

Is your community ready to have a conversation about large-scale solar development? Check out the new second edition of the Solar@Scale guidebook for a comprehensive discussion of local policies and actions that can affect the siting and design of community- and utility-scale solar facilities.

August 9, 2022

Visual Guide to Agrivoltaics and Wildlife-Friendly Solar

Agrivoltaics — or the placement of a solar energy system on the same parcel of land as agricultural production — and wildlife-friendly solar practices can help communities capture multiple benefits from large-scale solar development.

June 3, 2022

It’s Not Necessarily Solar vs. Agriculture

The topic of large-scale solar development in rural communities doesn't have to be controversial. Learn how local officials and developers can work together to clear up the misconception that these two land uses cannot co-exist.

November 1, 2021

Solar@Scale: Opportunities for Planners to Act

A new guidebook from APA and ICMA highlights key opportunities for planners to help speed the decarbonization of the U.S. electricity grid by promoting context-sensitive large-scale solar development in the communities they serve.

December 21, 2020

Exploring Gaps in Guidance for Large-Scale Solar Development

The Solar@Scale team recently analyzed the existing literature on planning and zoning for large-scale solar development and identified some significant gaps.

October 14, 2020

Solar@Scale: Improving the Local Rules for Large-Scale Solar

APA has partnered with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) on Solar@Scale, a new U.S. Department of Energy-funded project to help realize the potential benefits of large-scale solar development for cities, counties, and special districts.