Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies

The California desert is home to some of the most ecologically important areas in the West. It is also one of the best locations for large-scale solar energy development. Over the last year, with Foundation support, representatives of the solar industry and conservation groups successfully helped the Department of Interior create a new federal solar development program on public lands. This grant would build on that success, aiming to create a similar state-level program in California that would site solar development to minimize impacts to fragile desert areas. The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies would facilitate discussions between industry and conservationists and provide their recommendations to state agencies tasked with planning for solar development and conservation in the desert.