Energy Transition and Renewable Research Areas
As state, national and global energy markets transition to lower-carbon energy sources such as wind and solar power there are significant areas of research necessary to ensure enhanced environmental protection, energy security and grid reliability. Penn State’s faculty and professional staff are rapidly expanding research initiatives that address the ongoing energy transition to understand and address new and emerging issues. The Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research aims to coordinate and facilitate programs of research and outreach to address the complete range of issues presented by large-scale energy development as highlighted below.
A new publication (2022) introduces grid-scale solar energy in Pennsylvania, the technologies it uses, and the physical and environmental issues it raises. The publication also explores land conversion for grid-scale solar, including agrivoltaics and placement on brownfield and related sites, and economic and taxation issues arising with grid-scale solar development. Finally, it presents a summary of considerations that municipalities might want to address in a zoning ordinance related to grid-scale solar.
Contact MCOR to find an expert in the following areas:
- 1: Grid-Scale Solar “Basics”
- 2: Grid-Scale Solar Technologies
- 3: Physical Impacts of Grid-Scale Solar Development
- 4: Environmental Impacts of Grid-Scale Solar Development
- 5: Land Conversion Issues with Grid-Scale Solar Development
- 6: Localized Economic Impacts of Grid-Scale Solar Development
- 7: Tax Implications of Land Conversions for Grid-Scale Solar Development
- 8: Ordinance Considerations for Grid-Scale Solar Development