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Clean Energy Transition

Resources

Tools, reports, policy guidance, peer-reviewed science and other resources to advance a clean energy transition that benefits people and the planet.

rows of solar panels with mountains in background.
Oslomej Solar Power Plant 3 Aerial view of Aleksandar Dedinec, Viktor Andonov and Igor Vejnovic walking through the solar panels in “Oslomej Solar Power Plant 3” near Oslomej in North Macedonia. © Ciril Jazbec

Smart Siting: U.S.

Siting solar and wind projects in the right places means lower project risks, increased community support and better outcomes for nature. Below are tools and resources to help inform smart renewable energy siting in the United States.

  • daisies grow in front of solar panels and wind turbines.

    Clean Energy Compass

    An interactive map and resource hub that can be used to inform early clean energy project planning in the U.S. Visit the Clean Energy Compass

  • underwater view of school of fish circling around sunlight at water's surface.

    Marine Mapping Tool

    Mapping tool to help inform conservation and mitigation actions for Atlantic Ocean species and habitats. Learn more and use the tool

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    Georgia Low Impact Solar Siting Tool (GA LISST)

    Georgia’s land characteristics and plentiful sunshine make the state perfect for home-grown renewable energy. This tool aims to accelerate large-scale solar development in areas of lower environmental sensitivity. Learn more and use the tool

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    Recommended Practices for Responsible Siting and Design of Solar in Georgia

    Voluntary guidance to support consideration of natural resources during the development of photovoltaic solar in Georgia. From U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Wildlife Federation & TNC. Read the report

  • report cover image showing image of daisies growing in front of solar panels and wind turbines.

    Charting a Clean Energy Future in the U.S. Midwest

    A pathway for Midwest businesses to attain greenhouse gas reduction targets—while lessening impacts on nature and people from the renewable buildout. Learn more and read the report

  • report cover image showing sunset shining throgh solar panels.

    Power of Place - U.S. National

    TNC’s national Power of Place report can help energy planners and policymakers in the United States execute net-zero strategies that maximize benefits for climate, nature, and people. Learn more & read the report

  • report cover image showing wildflowers growing around solar panels.

    Greening the Clean Energy Transition

    Smart Siting and Pollinator-Friendly Solar Energy in Illinois Read the report

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    Coal Infrastructure Reuse Study

    Pathways to Reuse for Wyoming’s Coal Industry Infrastructure Read the report

Smart Siting: Peru

Tools and other resources to facilitate smart renewable energy siting in Peru.

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    Smart Siting: Methodology Fact Sheet

    Zonificación de energías renovables en áreas de bajo impacto ambiental (Español) Download the report

Smart Siting: India

Tools and other resources to facilitate smart renewable energy siting in India.

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    SiteRight: India

    The SiteRight tool identifies areas in India where solar and wind development is less likely to encounter socio-ecological conflicts, thereby helping to reduce project delays and cost overruns. Learn more and use the tool

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    Scaling Up Renewable Energy Deployment in India

    Pathways to speed up renewable energy deployment in India and reduce socioecological risks in renewable energy siting. Read the report

Smart Siting: Europe

Tools and other resources to facilitate smart renewable energy siting in Europe.

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    Identifying low-conflict areas for wind and solar development in Europe

    frontiers in environmental science | Apr 08, 2024

    This research paper presents scenarios in line with REPowerEU package to identify Renewables Acceleration Areas that support rapid renewable expansion while ensuring minimal harm to biodiversity and rural communities. Read the paper

  • report cover with wind turbines against sunset sky, purple with orange clouds.

    Europe Energy Practitioners Guide

    Mapping a Sustainable Renewable Energy Transition: Handbook for Practitioners Version 1 Download the guide

  • report cover with wind turbines at the edge of an open crop field.

    Operational Blueprint for the Energy Community

    A step-by-step guide to establishing Renewables Acceleration Areas for decision-makers and experts across the Energy Community region. Download the blueprint

  • screenshot of BioAtlas website showing waterfall and forest.

    Croatia Biodiversity Conflict Maps

    Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Hrvoje Požar Energy Institute, The Nature Conservancy

    These maps integrate data on habitats, species, and ecological processes, allowing for accurate risk assessments and informed decision-making on solar and wind energy development. View the maps

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    Mapping a Renewable Future in North Macedonia

    Mapping tool and study outlining siting blueprint for renewables in North Macedonia (available in English and Macedonian). Read the report and view the map

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    Mapping Serbia’s Solar Potential

    This map overlays solar development potential with impact potential, as well as a selection of the 100 best sites for solar development in Serbia. Learn more & view the map

  • report cover with sheep in the shade of solar panels and mountains in distance.

    Montenegro’s Energy Transition

    A pilot study in Nikšić to help inform ongoing nationwide siting analysis. Read the report

Mining the Sun

The latest research and guidance on repurposing mine lands and brownfields for renewable energy.

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    Mining the Sun

    Repurposing mines and brownfields for clean energy can reduce costs, accelerate the clean energy transition and protect wildlife. Read the report

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    Mining the Sun: Fact Sheet

    TNC’s Mining the Sun Project is a resource for energy developers and landowners interested in building clean energy projects on mine lands, brownfields, landfills and other disturbed lands. Download the fact sheet

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    Mining the Sun Brownfields and Mine Lands Data

    Explore the Brownfields and Mine Lands data. Access the data

  • photo of sun setting on horizon of vast landscape covered in solar panels.

    Mining the Sun Solar Suitability Data

    Explore the solar data for Mining the Sun. Access the data

  • report cover showing two workers in high-vis vests and hardhats walking under solar panels.

    Roadmap for Solar on Mine Lands in West Virginia

    Emerging opportunity to grow the West Virginia economy, attract new employers, increase investment and create jobs. Read the full report

Renewable Energy Markets & Best Practices

Guidance and best practices for integrating climate, conservation and community values into renewable energy procurement processes and markets.

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    PowerPlant 2.0

    eurelectric

    A guidebook for integrating biodiversity with renewable energy and grid projects. Read the report

  • report cover shows two workers standing on top of a wind turbine, with more turbines and birds in the distance and a hazy orange sky.

    Enabling a Community-Powered Energy Transition

    Good practices for engaging stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and promoting the socioeconomic benefits of renewable energy. Read the report

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    Net-Positive Biodiversity in Offshore Renewable Energy

    Ocean Stewardship Coalition

    Report outlining minimum criteria and recommendations for action by ORE developers. Read the report

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    The Purpose-Driven Toolkit

    A market resource to accelerate environmentally and socially driven clean energy procurement. Learn more

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    Non-Price Criteria in State Offshore Wind

    Institute for Energy & the Environment

    Using Non-Price Criteria in State Offshore Wind Solicitations to Advance Net Positive Biodiversity Goals Read the report

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    Offshore Wind for Nature Symposium

    Apr 20, 2023

    TNC and The Marine Affairs Institute at Roger Williams University School of Law hosted a two-day symposium exploring opportunities for offshore wind projects to help respond to biodiversity loss and improve environmental outcomes. Watch the recordings

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    Offshore Wind for Nature Symposium: Summary Report

    Can Offshore Wind Development Have a Net Positive Impact on Biodiversity? Regulatory and Scientific Perspectives and Considerations Read the report

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    Beyond Carbon-Free

    Level Ten Energy, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon

    A Framework for Purpose-Led Renewable Energy Procurement and Development Read the report

  • report cover with image of line of wind turbines in a corn field.

    More than a Megawatt

    Salesforce

    Embedding Social & Environmental Impact in the Renewable Energy Procurement Process Read the report

Powering with Policy & Partnerships

Policy and permitting guidance, frameworks, and white papers.

  • photo of parents and young child with wind turbines in background.

    Clean Energy Can Help With Affordable Electric Bills For Families

    Forbes

    Adding clean energy to the grid can provide real economic relief to American families in times of financial strain. Policies must make clean energy possible, writes TNC global board chair, Bill Frist. Read the op-ed

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    Permitting Reform White Paper: U.S.

    Improving the Environmental Permitting Process for Clean Energy Infrastructure Read the report

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    Low Impact Siting Policy Framework: India

    Balancing a Trifecta of Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Social Inclusivity. Read the report

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    Rewarding and incentivising nature-inclusive solar through EU policy

    Policy paper from SolarPower Europe and TNC to support the integration of biodiversity considerations in solar energy projects. Read the report

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    Best Practices for Reforming State-Level Renewable Energy Siting: U.S.

    Energy and Environmental Economics (E3)

    Clean Air Task Force (CATR), National Resources Defense Council (NDRC) and TNC commissioned E3 to evaluate barriers to renewable energy development in eight U.S. states, with a specific focus on siting and permitting policies. Learn more and read the study

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    Solar Uncommon Dialogue

    Historic agreement that unites diverse stakeholders to revolutionize large-scale U.S. solar development Learn more

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    Accelerating the Renewable Energy Transition: U.K.

    Recommendations to U.K. policy makers. Read the paper

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    Accelerating the Renewable Energy Transition: EU

    How effective implementation can become a game-changer for the European energy transition. Read the paper

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    T20 Policy Brief: Forging a Nature-Positive Energy Transition

    Recommendations to the G20 for accelerating energy transformation while ensuring that biodiversity and natural ecosystems are not degraded. Read the paper

  • report cover shows farm landscape in early evening and wind turbines with red light at their tops..

    Clean and Green Pathways for the Renewable Energy Buildout

    Highlights six critical ways governments, corporations and lenders can promote a clean and green renewable energy future. Read the report

Leading with Science

Peer-reviewed science and other science-based publications.

  • BioScience | Nov 23, 2024

    Is our climate fight killing the environment? A case for smart from the start planning Read the study

  • Science of The Total Environment | Feb 10, 2024

    Potential impacts of proposed lithium extraction on biodiversity and conservation in the contiguous United States Read the study

  • Biodiversity Science | Feb 20, 2024

    Ecological impacts of centralized large-scale photovoltaics and wind farms: Progress and prospects Read the study

  • LAND | Nov 10, 2023

    The Road to India’s Renewable Energy Transition Must Pass through Crowded Lands Read the study

  • Wind Energy | Sep 27, 2023

    Low impact siting for wind power facilities in the Southeast United States Read the study

  • Environmental Science & Technology | Jul 27, 2023

    Solar Energy-driven Land-cover Change Could Alter Landscapes Critical to Animal Movement in the Continental United States Read the study

  • The Journal of Wildlife Management | Jan 23, 2023

    Modeling migration and movement of gray bats Read the study

  • PNAS | Jan 19, 2023

    Minimizing habitat conflicts in meeting net-zero energy targets in the western United States Read the study

  • Frontiers in Environmental Science | Jan 03, 2023

    Balancing renewable energy and river resources by moving from individual assessments of hydropower projects to energy system planning Read the study

  • Nature | Aug 16, 2022

    An Artificial Intelligence Dataset for Solar Energy Locations in India Read the study

  • Frontiers in Environmental Science | Oct 08, 2019

    Hitting the Target but Missing the Mark: Unintended Environmental Consequences of the Paris Climate Agreement Read the study