Utility Scale Photovoltaic PV Solar Development Pressure

<div style='box-sizing:border-box;'>The <a href='https://gem.anl.gov/' style='box-sizing:border-box;' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Geospatial Energy Mapper</a> (GEM) provides mapping data and analysis tools for planning energy infrastructure in a geographic context. GEM is an interactive web-based decision support system that allows users to locate areas with high suitability for clean power generation and potential energy transmission corridors in the United States. Users can browse and download data layers, or create a custom suitability model to identify areas for energy development. GEM is built on the core data and capabilities of the <a href='https://ezmt.anl.gov/' style='box-sizing:border-box;' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Energy Zones Mapping Tool</a> (EZMT). GEM features an improved user interface, updated data, and additional capabilities. Argonne National Laboratory hosts the tool with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity.</div><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'><br /></div><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'>This model is specific to utility-scale photovoltaic solar. We modified the default model parameters to remove the habitat and protected areas elements. As a result, this layer represents the threat of energy development from a utility perspective and does not consider whether development is suitable from a conservation perspective. We considered a threat-only layer to be more complementary to the Southeast Blueprint, which already depicts conservation priorities. In addition, the source data for the habitat and protected areas elements were outdated and provided inconsistent coverage across the SECAS geography. <br /></div><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'><br /></div><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'>We kept the default weights for all remaining model input layers as shown in the bulleted list below. The default and customizable models are downloadable from <a href='https://gem.anl.gov/tool' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>the GEM viewer</a>. These data are provided for use in combination with the Blueprint and other data available on the <a href='https://secas-fws.hub.arcgis.com/' style='box-sizing:border-box;' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>SECAS Atlas</a>.</div><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'><ul><li>Slope (weight = 2)<br /></li><li>Land Cover (NLCD 2019) (weight = 1)</li><li>Population Density (weight = 2)</li><li>Solar PV: 1-Axis Tracking Flat-Plate Collector (weight = 4)<br /></li><li>Distance (m) to Substation (220 to 345kV) (weight = 1)</li></ul><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'>For more information on these model parameters or to view and download this layer in its native mapper:</div><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'><ul><li>Visit <a href='https://gem.anl.gov/tool' style='box-sizing:border-box;' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>https://gem.anl.gov/tool</a></li><li>Select &quot;Find suitable areas&quot; from the sidebar on the left</li><li>Choose solar technology</li><li>Choose the Utility-scale Photovoltaic Solar (PV) model</li><li>View/download the default model or customize as described above</li></ul><div style='box-sizing:border-box;'>Please direct any questions to <a href='mailto:[e-mail]' style='box-sizing:border-box;' target='_blank' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>[e-mail]</a>.</div></div></div>