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Solar PV Projects Are Sited Locally <br />19 <br />The siting authority for solar PV projects resides at the local — not the state — level One purpose of this <br />guide is to inform and facilitate local efforts to expand clean energy generation in a sustainable way, and <br />provide a consolidated source of existing research and information that addresses common questions <br />faced by communities. <br />As part of the Green Communities Act of 2008, DOER and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy <br />and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) developed a model zoning by -law /ordinance called "as -of -right <br />siting" that does not require a special permit. It is designed to help communities considering adoption of <br />zoning for siting of large -scale solar This model zoning by -law /ordinance provides standards for the <br />placement, design, construction, operation, monitoring, modification and removal of new large -scale <br />ground- mounted solar PV installations The latest version of the model by -law was published in March <br />20123 It provides useful information that will not be repeated extensively in this guide <br />Consider Impacts of Other Possible Developments at Site <br />Use of land for the purpose of solar photovoltaic power generation should be compatible with most <br />other types of land usage However DOER strongly discourages designating locations that require <br />significant tree cutting, because of the important water management, cooling and climate benefits trees <br />have DOER encourages designating locations in industrial and commercial districts, or on vacant, <br />disturbed land <br />When assessing the impact of new ground- mounted solar arrays, communities and other stakeholders <br />should carefully consider other types of development that might take place in a particular location if <br />there was no solar installation Stakeholders should bear in mind the higher or lower impacts that those <br />alternatives might have in terms of noise, air pollution or landscape These alternative impacts fall <br />outside the scope of this guide, but are relevant when looking at individual projects <br />3http / /www mass gov /eea /docs/ doer /green- communities /grant- program /solar - model - bylaw- mar -2012 pdf <br />4 <br />