photo credit - http://blogs-images.forbes.com/joshwolfe/files/2011/03/solar-panels.jpg
Solar Done Right is a coalition of activists, scientists, and solar energy experts for the purpose of enacting policy changes to the current plans to build large-scale solar plants on public lands. Our public lands contain vital habitat for disappearing species and protect our planet’s diversity. Solar Done Right contends that better placement of solar panels on already-constructed buildings (rooftop solar), developed lands, and brownfields and industrial areas will not only be less environmentally detrimental, but be more cost effective. The savings come from fewer transmission lines (and loss of distribution through them) and installation time reduction.
Solar Done Right hopes to preserve public and private wildlands and productive agricultural areas from large-scale renewable energy production. Instead of large remote projects, we can meet our energy demands by combining conservation and energy efficiency measures, energy generated near the point of use (i.e household roof tops), and energy produced within the built environment (i.e. parking lots and old industrial sites), thus, preserving the environment and the bottom line.
Solar Done Right has created an online petition for organizations and individuals alike to tell energy policymakers that remote, large-scale private solar energy ignores common sense and cost effective solutions which should be our first priorities for developing the solar industry. If such large projects prove necessary, they should not come at a cost to public lands in lieu of degraded areas that make for poor wildlife habitat.
To sign the petition and get involved please visit: www.solardoneright.org.
