1) Strong Solar Zoning Bylaws

2) MEPA

3) Models and Guides

4) Hydrology Reports

5) Legal Resources

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1) Strong Solar zoning laws

Some examples:

Town of Warren: Bylaw and guidelines here.

Town of Buckland: Bylaw here – look at Section XIV, page 75. 

Habitat Impacts. This can help protect forested landscapes. Don’t rely on the state DOER’s non-enforceable siting “guidelines” that refer to BioMap 2 to protect anything! 

Hazardous Materials. This recognizes the potential of hazardous waste in the solar projects and provides some guidance for safety regarding the hazardous waste.

Town of Shrewsbury: check the Town website.

Town of Shutesbury: see the Town website

Town of Charlemont solar bylaw: article here.

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2) MEPA

The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) is a law designed to review and minimize potential environmental damage from large developments. It is a valuable resource for towns and cities who are threatened by large industrial solar projects. 

LEARN MORE ON OUR MEPA PAGE​

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3) Models and Guides​​

Mass. DOER: Model Zoning for the Regulation of Solar Energy Systems

Guide for MA cities and towns to create standards for solar development.

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Pioneer Valley Planning Commission: Best Solar Practices Guide

Providing standards to assist communities with the regulation and development of Solar Photovoltaic Installations.

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Blackstone River Watershed Association Large-Scale Solar Installations Position Paper and Resource Guide for Town Officials

​Resource guide on how best to manage these installations in your towns, weighing both economic benefit and environmental impact.​

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A Guide to Community Solar 

​Discusses the range of incentives and policies while providing examples of operational community solar projects, this guide will help communities to plan and implement successful local energy projects. In addition, by highlighting some of the policy best practices, this guide suggests changes in the regulatory landscape that could significantly boost community solar installations across the country.

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4) Hydrology Reports

Belchertown, MA.

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Examples of documents put forward to the planning board and conservation commission as part of a collective effort to have the Town deny the permits needed for construction of a solar array.

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Comments on the “Stormwater Analysis and Calculations Report” and Site Design Plans, Prepared by Meridian Associates for the Proposed Solar Installation in the Scarboro Brook Watershed by BWC Scarboro Brook, LLC

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Comments on the Proposed Solar Installation in the Scarborough Brook Watershed by BWC Scarborough Brook, LLC, on Land presently owned by Cowls Inc.

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Northfield, MA.

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Hydrology report used by residents to fight an industrial solar project. 

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Horsley Report

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5) Legal Resources

Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund