Two bills written by Alabama Senator Greg Albritton and Representative Matt Simpson could soon upend the solar industry in the southern state.
What's happening?
According to the Alabama Daily News, the bills would put all new solar farms in the state on hold for one year with the goal of giving more authority to county governments over solar developments.
Albritton said in a statement to the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee that he has heard public concerns surrounding the ecological impacts of the multiple large-scale solar farm proposals in his district.
"The public is very concerned with what the reclamation requirements are, if any," Albritton said. "They're concerned about any ecological matters that come into play."
Why are these bills important?
While some local residents may be concerned about how the farms will impact their local environments, studies have shown that large-scale solar farms, when implemented with the local ecology in mind, can benefit native plant life and pollinators.
That's not to mention the environmental benefits of clean energy compared to the harmful alternatives, such as burning coal, gas, and oil.
On the residential scale, solar panels have long been known as one of the best ways to save money on home energy. In fact, TCD partner EnergySage has free tools that can show you just how much you can reduce your electricity bills by upgrading.
What's being done about solar energy in Alabama?
While some are concerned about the environmental impacts of solar, others are questioning how this bill will impact the local industry.
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"[The bill] is not targeted oversight — that's effectively hitting the kill switch on an entire industry overnight," John Dodd from Energy Alabama said, per Alabama Daily News. "In a state that prides itself on being pro-business and welcoming to investment, that sends a troubling signal."
Although many homeowners may think panels are just for residential rooftops, solar farms can benefit both small and large communities. While this bill would pause large-scale projects in Alabama, other states are already using them to stabilize entire grids.
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EnergySage even has a helpful mapping tool that compares the average cost of home solar on a state-by-state level. It even offers details on local incentives to make sure you get the best price and deals based on your home and budget.
To fully maximize your savings, consider pairing solar panels with a whole-home battery backup. Home batteries can help you store solar energy during the day to power your lights at night when electricity rates are often at their most expensive.
Luckily, EnergySage also has all of the information you need to deal with frustrating power outages or even go completely off-grid with a battery backup.
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