In 1620, the Pilgrims and the Puritans landed at Plymouth Rock (or not). Traveling by Shank’s mare (on foot), hacking arable land out of old-growth forest, chiseling roads a mere cart’s width out of land strewn with rock and root outcroppings, it took the colonists less than 20 years (1620 to 1640) to explore the 100 miles from Plymouth Colony to Springfield.
The Berkshires were hard to discover and harder to traverse. It took an additional 85 years to find their way just 40 miles from Springfield to Sheffield. What we call South Berkshire today was hidden behind the hills, over rivers, lakes, through marshland, along trails neither trodden nor blazed, and through uncleared land.
They arrived in 1725. These settlers found what they were looking for: available land. They came for the land and stayed for so much more: They found the power of the water that was never still and the clear, cold, potable water of spring-fed lakes. The climate was moderated by the ring of mountains surrounding it. Perhaps most of all, they discovered they were at the crossroads of New England.
From New York City to Hudson to Boston, Connecticut to Albany, and on the King’s Road from New Jersey and New York north, all roads went through the Berkshires. It was a stagecoach stop long before anyone used the word “tourist.” It was a rest from the cities of New York and Boston long before anyone used the words “second-home owner.” The economic base was agriculture long before anyone called it a “service economy” or a “cultural destination.”
For hundreds of years, all who came called it Arcadia. They said it was one step from Heaven. They said it was the destination in a flight from congestion and bad air, a flight to safety from crime and disease. The woods and hills, the low density, the open space, and gentle air prompted many to call it Eden. Now 300 years later, they are coming again. Once again, they are coming for the land. This time, what will they leave behind?
From the Department of Energy Resources:
The Technical Potential of Solar in Massachusetts Report provides a detailed description of the public engagement process, geospatial analysis methodology, findings, and additional qualitative policy considerations.
The StoryMap allows users to explore solar suitability across Massachusetts. The StoryMap is available at the link below:
Technical Potential of Solar in Massachusetts StoryMap
This is a screening-level analysis intended as a preliminary consideration of locations that may be suitable for solar.
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What are the study’s main findings?
Massachusetts has more than enough solar potential to support our decarbonization requirements – about 15-18 times what we likely need. Further, the best rated parcels add up to double the amount of solar called for in the 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap. Because of the amount of suitable solar potential identified, we can be aggressive with our solar policy while balancing land use priorities and protecting our natural resources.
How did the study determine suitability?
There were six suitability categories: agriculture, biodiversity, ecosystem services (like Wellhead Protection Areas, areas of critical environmental concern), embedded CO2e, distance to grid infrastructure, and slope/aspect of the parcel.
What types of solar installations are assumed?
The study reviewed the potential for rooftop, canopy, small ground-mount (less than 1 MW), and large ground-mount (greater than 1 MW).
What does this mean for future solar policy in Massachusetts?
We have identified areas in Massachusetts that are suitable for various kinds of solar development: canopy, rooftop, and ground mounted. With this information, we can design solar policy and incentives to promote solar in these areas.
For our environmental justice communities, we can see what areas are most suitable for solar and facilitate engagement with these communities to help them achieve their clean energy goals.
This analysis can also help inform long-term planning efforts such as the Grid Modernization Advisory Council. By identifying areas with large amounts of highly suitable solar potential, we can ensure we are investing adequately in these areas of the grid to support this future capacity.
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This study and the map are not intended to instruct or provide recommendations about where or what kind of solar should be built, but rather as source of information about where it is possible to install solar and how it may impact the suitability categories that we considered. This study was not inclusive of every potential factor that goes into solar siting, and individual parcels and their owners may have countless other factors to consider whether solar is right for them.
Read on—click on the links. This will impact us in various ways. Some will argue both positively and negatively. As you read the study and review the map, remember: The legislation that put this in motion overrides local control of land use—that is, overrides local zoning. Take note that while the study tells us we have more than enough land to build the solar panels we need, it does not tell us how much land that is. Now or 300 years ago, we have the available land.
