
WAter
Clear-cutting forests for industrial solar developments are contaminating waters with heavy metals, increasing erosion, and polluting rivers, lakes, reservoirs and surrounding watersheds.
Erosion
Clear-cutting of forests disrupts soil composition and strength, allowing for rain and snow to erode sediments into nearby waterways.
Left in tact, trees are natural sinks for excess water, and soften the impact of flooding. They help trap and retain water in the topsoil and filter it slowly into the ground aquifer.
Converting forested land to massive industrial ground-mounted solar means clear-cutting trees, stripping topsoil and vegetation. Water does not filter into the aquifer, but rather moves quickly across the ground surface into nearby streams. This causes the topsoil and all its nutrients to move with the water, which has significant harmful effects. The remaining soil is depleted of nutrients and vulnerable to erosion. This in turn significantly reduces water quality throughout the watershed.
Forest solar developments proposed on steep slopes further increase risk of erosion into the watershed.
The Harvard Forest Study found that "In Williamsburg, a solar project sited on a steep slope was assessed over $1 million in penalties for damage to Mill River, a cold-water fishery, due to erosion.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s guidance for stormwater management on solar arrays encourages avoidance of steep slopes but it does not require the same level of treatment as other impervious surfaces. This policy should be revised."
In Shutesbury, MA, industrial clearcutting for solar has been proposed on the slopes of the Pelham Hills, risking polluting the local Atkins Reservoir and the Quabbin Reservoir, Boston's main water source.

Pollution
Industrial solar installations use a variety of chemicals and processes that can pollute land and waters nearby. Zinc and arsenic coated poles are common, leaching heavy metals into the watershed. PFAS (forever chemicals) are found in many components of the solar installation.
In Carver, A.D Makepeace CO. installed arsenic coated poles for solar installation placed in cranberry bogs. After uproar from Carver residents concerned the contaminated water would leach into their source of drinking water, the poles were replaced.

August, 2022, during a drought: PineGate Renewables irrigating a cranberry bog under toxic CCA poles, Carver MA.