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The U.S. Department Integrates Multiple Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Planning Areas
Recently, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) established 17 solar energy planning zones (SEZs) in its new industry plan, thus injecting vitality into photovoltaic power generation projects in North America. The establishment of these zones will help encourage the development of utility-scale projects by shortening approval cycles and are located on 285,000 acres of public lands in southwestern states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.The Interior Department made the decision in response to 80,000 comments from developers, stakeholders and residents in the states following an addendum to the planned solar PEIS (Solar PEIS) released in December.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said: “For the first time, Solar PEIS creates a blueprint within a region-wide plan that will help accelerate the efficiency of intelligent siting of solar projects. It will also provide a sustainable and sustainable future for our country’s solar energy development. Stability lays a good foundation.
The redesigned Solar PEIS would eliminate seven proposed SEZs in Arizona, California, and New Mexico due to development constraints or serious resource conflicts. At the same time, these locations were adjusted for logical reasons and their impact on the local environment was minimized.
Studies of potential new SEZ locations have begun, involving the Arizona Restoration Energy Design Program, West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation and California Desert Renewable Energy Conseravtion Plan.
In addition to SEZs, the Department of the Interior continues to actively develop utility-scale solar development projects on other public lands. In the past 24 months, the Interior Department has approved 13 large-scale commercial solar facilities.
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