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Solar Development in PA with a focus on Northumberland County

Hasiba Hasin Royesh

Mentors: Shaunna Barnhart, PhD and Vanessa Massaro, PhD

Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

CONCLUSIONS

DISCUSSION

RESULTS

REFERENCES

ABSTRACT

CONTACT

Hasiba Hasin Royesh

Bucknell University

Email: hhr005@bucknell.edu

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Timeline Patterns

  • Solar coverage peaked in 2021 and 2024 (5 articles each), indicating high interest.
  • Gaps in coverage (2012, 2015, 2017) suggest periods of stagnation.
  • Media attention spiked during policy shifts and community debates.

Policy Shifts Over Time

  • Zoning: Peaks in 2014, 2019, 2021 reflect regulatory changes.
  • Environmental Concerns: Highest between 2009–2021, focusing on water runoff and land impact. Declined after 2021 with new regulations and incentives.
  • Land Use: Ongoing debate on using farmland for solar, peaking in 2009, 2014, 2021.
  • Resistance vs. Economy: Public concerns persist, but economic benefits drive support peaking in 2009 and 2014.

Data Sources:

    • Comprehensive data collected from scholarly articles, news coverage, archival documents, and public meetings.

Analysis:

    • Timeline: Development of a timeline to track solar projects and policy changes over time.
    • Stakeholder Perspectives: Open-coded analysis of perspectives from local farmers, residents, and policymakers gathered through news coverages, public meetings, and reports.
  • What Northumberland’s Case Tells Us About Rural Solar Adoption:
    • Northumberland's experience reflects the broader challenges and opportunities rural areas face in adopting renewable energy, balancing agricultural interests with the need for clean energy.
  • Lessons for Policymakers and Developers:
    • To facilitate solar expansion, policymakers must create flexible, inclusive policies that address both local concerns and the economic potential of renewable energy.
  • Next Steps for Research:
    • Continued exploration of environmental impacts of large solar projects on rural ecosystems.
    • Ongoing tracking of community engagement and policy changes as more projects, like Cottontail Solar, develop.

Northumberland County Public Meetings Archives (https://www.norrycopa.net/index.php/public-meetings-2014/)

Lightsource BP: Cottontail Solar Farm Project Overview

Daily Item , News-Item, Proquest, Google News

Solar Energy in Rural Pennsylvania

  • Solar energy adoption is growing across rural Pennsylvania due to its potential for renewable energy production, job creation, and environmental benefits.
  • State financial support for solar fluctuates. Most recently, the USDA allocated $5.2 million in 2024 specifically for solar projects in Pennsylvania, aiming to support farmers, small businesses, and local communities in transitioning to clean energy.

Why Northumberland County?

  • Historically tied to coal mining, Northumberland County is now part of Pennsylvania’s shift to renewable energy.
  • The county presents a unique case for studying how agricultural land use, solar development, and policy regulations interact, as farmers and landowners must weigh the economic benefits of leasing land for solar projects against preserving farmland for agriculture.
  • A major site for solar expansion, including the Cottontail Solar Project, which plays a key role in shaping the region’s renewable energy future.

Research Objectives

  • Assess the impact of the fluctuating investment on solar adoption in Northumberland County.
  • Analyze key solar developments, focusing on the Cottontail Solar Project and its funding sources.
  • Examine stakeholder perspectives, including farmers, residents, and policymakers, on the challenges and benefits of solar energy expansion.

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This research examines the growth of solar energy projects in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, a region historically tied to coal mining but now emerging as a key site for renewable energy development. Pennsylvania’s increasing focus on solar energy aims to support farmers, small businesses, and rural communities in transitioning to solar power. This study focuses on key solar projects, particularly the Cottontail Solar Project, analyzing its development, funding sources, and local impact.

The research also explores the complex balance between agricultural land use, solar expansion, and policy regulations, as landowners navigate the economic benefits of solar leases alongside concerns about farmland preservation. By analyzing policy documents, media coverage, and stakeholder perspectives, this study provides insights into how farmers, residents, and local policymakers are shaping the future of solar energy in the county. Ultimately, this project highlights both the opportunities and challenges of integrating large-scale solar infrastructure in rural Pennsylvania and its implications for broader renewable energy transitions in similar regions.

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  • Cottontail Solar Project:
    • 700-acre solar farm being developed by Lightsource bp in partnership with local stakeholders.
    • Lightsource bp is a member of the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA), a non-profit founded by farmers dedicated to agrivoltaics
    • This project is central to Northumberland's push for solar energy, and it will have significant implications for land use, agriculture, and the local economy.

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Solar Expansion vs. Land Use Conflicts

  • Solar projects like Cottontail Solar bring economic benefits but raise concerns about farmland loss and zoning conflicts.

Mixed Community Reactions

  • Farmers are divided—some see solar leases as financial security, while others worry about losing productive land.
  • Residents express both support (clean energy, economic growth) and opposition (landscape changes, property values).
  • Younger and environmentally conscious groups tend to favor solar, but more data is needed to confirm trends.

Environmental & Policy Challenges

  • Key concerns: soil degradation, water runoff, and habitat disruption.
  • Zoning laws struggle to balance solar development with farmland preservation.
  • Policy shifts have streamlined approvals, but inconsistencies remain.

Future Considerations

  • Need for clearer policies to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and agriculture.
  • More research needed on long-term economic and environmental impacts of solar leasing.

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Cottontail solar site in Northumberland, PA

2005: Energy Policy Act creates 30% ITC

2008: Obama removes the $2,000 cap

2020: ITC extended 2 years, lowered

to 26%.

2022: Inflation Reduction Act replaces ITC.

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