Solar Landscape Analysis

Hummingbird Firm was contracted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to conduct a landscape analysis of community solar in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. These states presented unique opportunities and challenges in expanding access to renewable energy, particularly in areas of interest – as identified by NRDC – such as, Atlanta, Savannah, Raleigh, Charlotte, Newport News, and Hampton. NRDC sought to understand better the state-specific policies, stakeholder dynamics, and financial barriers that influenced community solar development. Thus, this project provided a detailed assessment of the current landscape, highlighting existing projects, legislative hurdles, and pathways for improving accessibility—particularly for low-income communities.

Hummingbird researched to translate complex regulatory and financial frameworks into clear, actionable insights for NRDC and its partners. This work included stakeholder interviews, policy analysis, and strategy development focused on community-driven solar initiatives and energy storage solutions. The findings were compiled into a comprehensive report, equipping NRDC with the knowledge and tools needed to support ongoing community solar initiatives in the Southeast.