{"id":19483,"date":"2022-11-14T16:00:12","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T16:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lightsourcebp.com\/news\/mapping-our-way-to-a-more-resilient-future\/"},"modified":"2023-07-21T12:48:32","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T12:48:32","slug":"mapping-our-way-to-a-more-resilient-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandbox.lightsourcebp.com\/us\/news\/mapping-our-way-to-a-more-resilient-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Mapping our way to a more resilient future"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mapping our way to a more resilient future<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Mapping our way to a more resilient future<\/h2>\n

GIS (geographic information systems) is helping save the world one map at a time. At\u00a0<\/span>Lightsource\u00a0bp, we\u00a0use\u00a0GIS\u00a0tools\u00a0to\u00a0site projects\u00a0as efficiently and responsibly\u00a0as possible,\u00a0fighting climate change while ensuring a positive impact on local communities and land.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In light of\u00a0Geography Awareness Week, we are celebrating the power of GIS to\u00a0make an enormous impact in solar development. Keep reading to learn more about this powerful tool and its applications at Lightsource bp.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is GIS and how does it work?<\/h3>\n

Geographic Information Systems are powerful mapping tools used across hundreds of industries. Essentially, GIS software applies layers of data to maps, allowing users to gain useful insights. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) serve as the basis of a GIS analysis.\u00a0GIS software systems\u00a0pair datapoints\u00a0(i.e.,\u00a0roads, altitude, soil type)\u00a0to real-world locations\u00a0via these coordinates. Data might be represented as points, lines,\u00a0polygons,\u00a0or as continuous\u00a0fields of pixels.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A GIS\u00a0professional\u00a0adds layers of data over a given spatial area,\u00a0as large as the entire Earth\u2019s surface or as small as a single\u00a0square meter\u00a0of\u00a0land.\u00a0GIS tools will help\u00a0people\u00a0understand\u00a0patterns\u00a0and\u00a0relationships\u00a0within the data,\u00a0monitor\u00a0change, make\u00a0predictions,\u00a0and\u00a0solve\u00a0problems.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What problems can GIS solve for solar developers?<\/h3>\n

Identifying suitable land for development is a primary use of GIS in the solar industry.\u00a0In addition to getting plenty of sunshine, solar farms must sit on suitable ground, have access to the power grid and follow local building codes, among other factors. GIS\u00a0data\u00a0layers\u00a0of on-the-ground\u00a0obstacles\u00a0along with local requirements\u00a0and parcel data\u00a0are leveraged\u00a0to develop a model of buildable land to inform the most\u00a0desirable\u00a0land parcels to\u00a0lease for solar.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition,\u00a0GIS\u00a0modeling\u00a0can provide site-specific data to inform the design,\u00a0construction\u00a0and maintenance of a site. At Lightsource bp, our team has used the technology to create models\u00a0to\u00a0streamline\u00a0panel placement\u00a0for the\u00a0Lightsource bp\u00a0design team\u00a0and\u00a0to create a\u00a0mowing conditions\u00a0model\u00a0that\u00a0dictates where\u00a0\u00a0traditional vegetation management methods simply won\u2019t cut it.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How is Lightsource bp using GIS tools to build more resilient projects around the world?<\/h3>\n

Lightsource bp goes\u00a0the extra mile\u00a0with our Responsible Solar approach. We take great care to create projects that not only push forward the global energy\u00a0transition but\u00a0benefit the natural environment and local communities around them.\u00a0Our\u00a0GIS team plays\u00a0a key role\u00a0in\u00a0maximizing the positive impact of our projects.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The team assesses the ecosystems on project sites, for example, and creates plans that avoid disturbance of at-risk species and biodiversity hotspots. GIS tools can also inform site-specific plans to boost biodiversity through <\/span><\/span><\/span>multi-use solar initiatives<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>,<\/span><\/span> such as planting pollinator gardens or introducing agrivoltaics programs like on-site sheep grazing. In this way, GIS tools enable our projects to create stronger ecosystems that serve wildlife and people alike.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, GIS tools can help our development team understand risks to a project, like potential flooding. GIS can model \u201cwhat if?\u201d scenarios to inform designs that keep solar farms safe and resilient. This approach can help open the doors to solar development in vulnerable communities, where the threat of catastrophes like hurricanes and flooding is high. Solar can increase the resilience of the local power grid in these areas, potentially<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>providing\u00a0<\/span>power\u00a0following disasters<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0take\u00a0traditional power sources\u00a0offline.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In 2022 the Lightsource bp team took another major step, of increasing access to GIS data and analysis across the entire company with a <\/span>new mapping platform<\/span><\/a> called OneMap. One Map <\/span><\/span><\/span>allows us to manage and share geospatial information and analysis through a central source<\/span><\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span><\/span>providing geospatial data and tools at <\/span><\/span><\/span>our team members\u2019 fingertips.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Related news <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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13 Jan, 2026<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Toyota enter into a power contract in Texas<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp and Toyota Motor North America have finalized a virtual power purchase agreement for energy from the 231MW Jones City 2 solar farm in Texas.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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14 Oct, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners announce $97.9M tax equity deal for Peacock Solar<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

\u00a0Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners today announced the closing of a $97.9 million tax equity deal to finance the 187 MW Peacock Solar in San Patricio County, TX.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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15 Aug, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp wins two North American Agrivoltaics Awards<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp proudly announces receipt of two North American Agrivoltaics Awards: Solar Ranch of the Year and Champion of the Year.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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