Not all land needs to be prime real estate to hold value. Across the U.S., underused or overlooked spaces—like capped landfills, vacant fields, and former industrial sites—are being given new life through community solar projects. At PureSky Energy, we’re proud to help transform these idle spaces into powerful engines of clean, local energy.
Here’s how we’re turning underused land into solar opportunity—and why it matters for our communities and our planet.
What Is Underused Land?
Underused land refers to properties that are no longer serving their original purpose or have limited economic activity. These can include:
- Closed landfills
- Retired farmland
- Brownfields (formerly contaminated sites)
- Vacant municipal parcels
- Other previously developed land
Often, these areas can’t be redeveloped for housing or commercial use—but they’re perfect for ground-mounted solar farms. With minimal disturbance to the land, these sites become productive again, generating clean energy and community benefits.
From Wasted Space to Working Solar Farms
PureSky Energy is actively looking for underused land to build solar projects and we partner with local developers who are familiar with the local region. By installing solar arrays on underused plots, we bring them back into productive use—generating local power for local people.
These projects:
- Reduce pressure on farmland and forests
- Revitalize local tax bases
- Support grid resilience
- Bring clean energy to renters, homeowners, and small businesses alike
What was once a forgotten field can now power thousands of homes and provide long-term savings to subscribers in the community.
Why Upcycling Land Matters
Using underused land for solar is a smart solution to some of the toughest sustainability challenges we face. Here’s why:
✅ It’s Environmentally Responsible
Rather than clearing forests or disrupting active farmland, solar farms on brownfields or landfills avoid additional environmental impact. Many of these sites are already zoned for industrial use, making them ideal for clean energy development.
✅ It’s Community-Focused
Community solar means the energy generated from these sites stays local. Residents can subscribe to a nearby project and receive guaranteed bill savings—no rooftop required.
✅ It’s Scalable and Replicable
There are thousands of acres of underused land across the U.S. ripe for solar transformation. Each project not only supports local energy goals but also contributes to broader climate action plans.
PureSky’s Commitment to Sustainability and ESG
At PureSky Energy, we go beyond generating clean power—we embed sustainability and environmental stewardship into every step of our operations. As part of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitment, we actively:
- Prioritize low-impact land use, transforming brownfields and degraded areas into solar sites
- Promote biodiversity by designing pollinator-friendly solar farms where possible
- Reduce carbon emissions by advancing clean energy access in traditionally underserved communities
- Maintain transparent, ethical governance through strong reporting and industry-aligned ESG frameworks
Our approach ensures that solar development aligns not only with clean energy goals, but with broader environmental and community values.
We also support industry standards such as GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark), which promotes transparency and accountability in sustainability performance. Our alignment with these standards reinforces our long-term dedication to responsible energy development.
PureSky in Action: Solar That Works for the Land and the People
PureSky Energy is proud to support projects across states like New York and Illinois that bring solar to areas that otherwise would remain idle. For example:
- A former racetrack in upstate New York now powers hundreds of homes through PureSky’s community solar program.
- A brownfield site in Illinois, once unusable, will soon serve as a solar farm creating clean energy and savings for local residents.
By working with trusted solar developers and landowners, we help ensure these spaces are safely and effectively repurposed—delivering clean energy that benefits all.
New Life from Old Land
Turning underused land into clean energy hubs is about more than sustainability—it’s about innovation, equity, and resilience. PureSky is proud to be part of this growing movement, proving that the land we’ve left behind can help move us all forward.
Whether you're a subscriber benefiting from local solar savings or a community excited to breathe new life into old land, know this: The sun has room to shine everywhere—and it starts right where we stand.
