PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island officials are kicking clean energy initiatives up a notch, offering $2 million in grants to developers of solar panel projects at so-called “brownfields” and carports.
The money has been divided into two state funds and developers can apply for a share of it to help them defray the costs of creating solar panel clusters.
The initiative is intended to help the state meet its clean energy production goals while encouraging solar projects in spots that won’t cut into Rhode Island’s limited supply of open, undeveloped lands.
Starting March 11, solar projects at brownfields – former industrial or commercial sites where future use is affected by environmental contamination – are eligible to receive part of $1 million earmarked for the state’s Renewable Energy Fund.
And beginning later this spring, solar carport projects – panel arrays typically installed over parking areas – will be eligible to receive part of another $1 million earmarked for the state’s Commercial Scale Renewable Energy Fund. For that fund, applications will start being accepted June 3.
The initiative, announced by the state Office of Energy Resources, will be provided in the form of grants.
The money is meant to accelerate the production of clean energy in Rhode Island, as laid out in Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s goal for the Ocean State to have the capability to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity from clean energy sources by 2020.
“We have been listening to concerned citizens, business owners, farmers, cities and towns, and environmental advocates about the need to encourage solar development on preferred sites such as closed landfills, former gravel pits and parking areas,” R.I. Energy Commissioner Carol Grant said in a statement.
“We are pleased to announce the availability of funds for these special projects so that Rhode Island may continue adding new sources of renewable energy while preserving our forest and natural habitats.”
The $2 million in funding was made possible through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an agreement among Rhode Island and eight other states in the Northeast to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental groups expressed support for the newly announced initiative.
“Our organizations welcome this effort by the state to incentivize solar energy in previously developed and disturbed areas like carports and brownfields,” The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and Acadia Center said in a joint statement.
“As members of the Renewable Energy Siting Stakeholder Committee, we are committed to finding additional approaches that will allow us to accelerate the pace of renewable energy development in line with Rhode Island’s climate goals while also protecting important habitats and natural resources.”
Scott Blake is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Blake@PBN.com
