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<p>The state incentive program for large-scale solar projects, Solar
Mass. Renewable Target program or SMART, currently incentivizes
only dual use solar for placement on agricultural land and
continues this in its <a
href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/2024-smart-straw-proposal/download">2024
Straw Proposal</a>.</p>
<p>However, out here in the Connecticut River Valley, there has been
little interest in dual use from either solar developers or crop
farmers. The developers don't like the amount of land that must
be set left unshaded, and the farmers don't like the amount of
shade produced. The only currently viable dual use farming
activity seems to be sheep and goat pasturage. UMass Amherst has
been researching crops that might thrive under solar panels but
the last I knew hadn't discovered any with significant market
potential. </p>
<p>In addition, solar facilities on land with an Agricultural
Preservation Restriction are not allowed to produce more than 200%
of the electrical usage of the farm. Land in Chapter 61 or 61A
may only produce 125% of the farm's electrical usage or must come
out of Chapter and repay the last 5 years of property tax savings
to the town.</p>
<p>Judy Markland, former member Whately Planning Board</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 8/1/2024 10:45 AM, Daniel Fortier
via MassPlanners wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAHRn-ab0w9g951e50AMKcU51OkFCvV396CVqvYj9xGmhdnKDMA@mail.gmail.com">
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
<div dir="auto">For those interested in this concept, here is a
link to a Webinar on August 28th.
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto"><a href="https://bit.ly/4dg1Aaa"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://bit.ly/4dg1Aaa</a></div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">Description</div>
<div dir="auto">Large-scale solar is a growing energy source in
local governments across the U.S., particularly in rural
areas. As solar grows, there are significant opportunities for
farms to benefit, gaining access to new revenue streams while
also maintaining land for grazing, wildlife, or other uses.
Concepts like agrivoltaics, ecovoltaics, and community benefit
agreements can mitigate risks and create opportunities. A new
tax base and diversified agricultural production can support
economic development and provide enhanced community services.
Lastly, strategic siting and site design can protect community
character while respecting private property rights.</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">In this webinar, zoning expert Brian Ross from
the Great Plains Institute will provide an overview of best
practices and common solutions around planning, zoning, and
incentives for agrivoltaics and large-scale solar. This
webinar is eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits.</div>
<div dir="auto"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">Daniel Fortier, AICP Retired Planner </div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Wed, Jul 31, 2024, 3:15 PM
Mark Klitzke <<a href="mailto:mark.klitzke@gmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">mark.klitzke@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
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<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_default" style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<div class="gmail_default">Sharing this local link:</div>
<div class="gmail_default"><a
href="https://farmland.org/in-massachusetts-proof-grows-of-benefits-for-combining-solar-and-agriculture/"
target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://farmland.org/in-massachusetts-proof-grows-of-benefits-for-combining-solar-and-agriculture/</a></div>
<div class="gmail_default"><br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default">Mark<br>
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style="outline:none;padding:10px 0px;width:22px;margin:2px 0px 0px"><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
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