Write a petition and go door to door to gather taxpayer signatures. Do not leave information in USPS mailboxes. This is a federal offense. Ask the town, county and state for regulations on petitions. If necessary consult with an attorney. Ask if online petitions are valid in your town, county and state. Scan the petition … [Read more…]
How to: Decipher the Developer’s Community Meeting Mailer
Many towns may require a developer to host a community open house to inform neighbors of their energy project. The meeting will not be held at town hall. The town, planning and zoning board are not required to attend. The town does not mail the taxpayers notifications. This community meeting is not part … [Read more…]
How To: Design and Mail an Information Postcard
Templates from other towns. Copy, paste, edit for your town. Contact your local print shop for design, printing and mailing services. Newspaper Advertisement Flyer to post on bulletin boards at your local library, diner, gas station, school, rec center, post office. Postcard to mail. Obtain mailing list from local … [Read more…]
How To: Baseline Noise Analysis
If at all possible hire a noise engineer. Search the National Council of Acoustical Consultants. This industry is booked out months in advance. Start early! Capture baseline decibel levels with noise meters. REED Instruments R8050 Dual Range Sound Level Meter amazon Use an app on your iPhone NIOSH Sound Level Meter for iPhone Purchase a … [Read more…]
How to: Read a Solar Site Plan
Be solar smart! Use these redacted and annotated educational purposes only site plans to learn what to look for on a basic solar site plan. This information may apply to any site plan for any utility scale solar power plant and should not be construed as a review or critique of any particular project or … [Read more…]
Schenectady solar developer secures $155M in financing
“DSD Renewables, which has developed solar arrays and other installations throughout the Hudson Valley, has just has raised $155 million in debt financing which should speed the adoption of community solar projects across the state. The asset-backed financing through Credit Suisse Securities has a heavy concentration in community solar projects. In those projects, communities … [Read more…]
How To: United States Department of Agriculture Soils Map
Determine the USDA rating for solar arrays with soil based anchor systems and solar arrays with ballast anchor systems. USDA Soil Map https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ CLick the Start (Green Button) locate address define Area of Potential Interest API Click top tab for Soil Data Explorer Tab Click Building Site Development for a drop down menu Solar arrays … [Read more…]
How to: Document Land Use and Property Lines
How to: Map the solar project’s land use 1. Identify your county’s internet mapping system and teach yourself how to use it. The internet mapping system or GIS map system may shows parcels, landowner information and links to the assessor’s information and tax information. It may have options to include parcel id numbers, … [Read more…]
How to: Report a Property Maintenance Violation
Some municipalities may have a regulation that a property cannot obtain a permit if there are outstanding violations filed on the property. Submit a Freedom of Information request for the address and tax id number of the the parcel in question to the municipality. If you believe that the property is in violations then take … [Read more…]
Investment Firms to Acquire 49% Stake in Goldwind’s 528 MW Wind Farm in Australia
“California-based investment firm Palisade Investment Partners (Palisade) and Aware Super Pty, a trustee of Australian superannuation fund Aware Super, are acquiring a 49% stake in China-based wind turbine maker Goldwind’s ‘Stockyard Hill Wind Farm’ project in Australia’s Victoria state. Deemed to be the largest wind farm in Australia’s National Electricity Market, the 528 MW … [Read more…]