Tracey Wingate completed her fellowship with the New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association after graduating from Skidmore College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. Tracey’s work involved investigating key criteria used by solar developers to identify locations within New Hampshire that may be targeted for solar development. Using these criteria, Tracey created a model map of Durham, New Hampshire that highlights parcels ideal for solar development. This work is timely as many other New England states have experienced increasing solar development accompanied by land use conflicts as communities aim to produce more sustainable energy while maintaining open spaces, farms, and forests. With the expectation that this development will spread to New Hampshire, municipalities can use the model map of Durham to conduct an analysis of their landscapes, identify parcels that may be targeted for solar development, and plan accordingly. Through this fellowship, Tracey learned about the complexities of incorporating renewable energy projects within existing landscapes and electrical infrastructure.
