RE-Powering’s Electronic Decision Tree

Overview

Developed by US EPA's RE-Powering America's Land Initiative, the RE-Powering Electronic Decision Tree tool guides interested parties through a process to screen sites for their suitability for solar photovoltaics or wind installations.  EPA encourages renewable energy on already developed or degraded land instead of green space.  The tool addresses the following types of sites: 

• Potentially Contaminated Sites (Superfund, Brownfield, RCRA, mine site)
• Landfill (Municipal Solid Waste, Construction and Demolition or similar unit)
• Underutilized (Abandoned parcels, parking lots, buffer zones)
• Rooftop (Solar PV only; Commercial / Industrial roofs)

This informational resource will help ascertain whether potential barriers to a solar or wind project exist at a site of interest.  It provides:

• A step-by-step walk through of key considerations for renewable energy development at the site;
• Suggested resources to help you answer screening questions to gauge the site’s potential; and
• Reports summarizing your answers to the screening questions, initial findings regarding suitability and other comments about the site.

Positive findings from the screening should create confidence regarding the site’s suitability and should serve to generate interest and commitment from affected stakeholders.  Such screening provides a critical step in the front end of a longer process for a successful renewable energy installation; more detailed site-specific assessments should be undertaken as the project is pursued.

See factsheet for Overview of Electronic Decision Tree Tool.

Download Instructions

If you have previously downloaded this Electronic Decision Tree tool,

• First uninstall (do not delete) any previous version of the RE-Powering Electronic Decision Tree Tool you may have on your computer.

Download RE-Powering's Electronic Decision Tree Tool (EXE) (exe) (36.29 MB)

To download using Internet Explorer:

• First uninstall (do not delete) any previous version of the RE-Powering Electronic Decision Tree Tool you may have on your computer.
• Click on the link for downloading the RE-Powering Electronic Decision Tree Tool installation file.
• A "File Download" dialogue box will appear. Select "Save this program to disk" and click the OK button.
• Choose the location where you would like to save the installation file, make sure you have read and write permissions for the directory you choose to install (re_powering_edt_v1.1.exe) and click the Save button.
• A screen will appear that will show you the progress of the download. When the download is complete, locate the RE-Powering Electronic Decision Tree installation file in the location where you saved it and double-click on the file to begin the installation process.

Finally, we encourage users to register using the link above to receive notifications and updates regarding the RE-Powering Electronic Decision Tree.

For Additional Information or Help

Email cleanenergy@epa.gov.