Weeks after Pulaski County, Virginia announced its SolSmart “solar ready community” gold certification process, Hecate Energy has formally submitted plans for the county’s first utility scale solar project.

According to the California Independent Service Operator (CAISO), smoke and ash spread led to a 20 percent reduction in solar panel output. With such annual and large blazes, which seemingly will only continue as climate change worsens, project developers may need to consider new technologies or even a more careful approach to siting, going forward.