This article is a part of the NASA DEVELOP’s Summer 2017 Virtual Poster Session. For more articles like these, click here
Project Team: Georgia Energy
Team Location:åÊUniversity of Georgia ÛÒ Athens, Georgia
Authors:
Lynn Abdouni
Emad Ahmed
Natalia Bhattacharjee
Roger Bledsoe
Christopher Cameron
Suravi Shrestha
Austin Stone
Mentors/Advisors:
Dr. Marguerite Madden (University of Georgia, Department of Geography)
CERES data clipped to sun shape and displayed overlaid on a solar farm development suitability map. Image Credit: Georgia Energy Team
Abstract:
Solar energy is a rapidly growing industry in the state of Georgia. The increasing popularity of solar farms is encouraging decision-makers and developers to incorporate a sustainable plan for utility-scale solar developments. However, the construction and siting of solar farms could have a threatening impact on environmentally sensitive habitats and associated species. NASA DEVELOP partnered with The Nature Conservancy and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to conduct an analysis to inform solar site planning and communicate with key stakeholders. The team analyzed land cover trends from Landsat 8 OLI in addition to solar insolation data sets from Terra CERES. These Earth observations were combined to classify and extract data layers for a solar site suitability and conflict identification model following the Land Use Conflict Identification Strategy (LUCIS). Additionally, the DEVELOP team utilized endangered species habitat layers, with a focus on the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) primarily due to its role as a keystone species in these sensitive areas. These data were used to generate end products that depict potential conflicts between ideal solar energy sites and endangered species habitats, and prioritize development areas outside of these conflicts. This project also developed a case study with higher resolution and supplementary ancillary data in Taylor County, Georgia. The results of this project will be utilized by The Nature Conservancy and Georgia Department of Natural Resources to recommend suitable sites for environmentally conscious solar farm construction.