Are local bans blocking wind and solar energy?

Across America, local bans, moratoriums and construction impediments are blocking wind and solar energy with increasing levels of red tape. Here's what USA TODAY's analysis found.

Does your county have impediments to new solar energy?

USA TODAY’s analysis found 15% of counties nationwide now have some impediment to new utility-scale wind and solar energy. Gauging those impediments required researching a variety of local rules including outright bans, zoning restrictions, specialized land-use rules or political stonewalls.

Are solar panels illegal?

Technically, no state outlaws or bans solar panels; quite the opposite. Most states have solar access laws that forbid any agreement, covenant, condition, bylaw, or contract that outlaws or limits solar installations by Homeowners Associations (HOA) or other municipal bodies.

Is the solar tax law a 'blatant rejection' of Congress?

Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, in a statement called it a “blatant rejection” of what Congress passed in the tax law.

Will fslr impose tariffs on solar panels?

Separately, a group of U.S. solar panel manufacturers that includes First Solar (FSLR) asked the Commerce Department this week to impose tariffs on imports from Indonesia, India and Laos, accusing companies there of dumping cheap goods in the market to undercut new American factories.

How many counties have blocked or impeded wind and solar power?

While 15% of U.S. counties may sound like a small portion of the country, the rate of those bans and impediments is increasing quickly. USA TODAY's analysis, backed by energy and academic experts, gauges which counties have effectively blocked or impeded new utility-scale wind and solar power.