Sunpin v. Petersham: Mass. SJC Narrows the Path to Denying Large-Scale Solar

Short summary

The Massachusetts SJC ruled in Sunpin v. Petersham that municipalities may deny special permits for solar energy systems only when denial is 'necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare,' requiring a site-specific analysis. The court vacated a Land Court judgment that upheld Petersham's denial of a 4.3 MW solar array, clarifying that general welfare concerns cannot serve as an open-ended veto. Municipalities must still provide reasonable opportunities for large-scale solar development.

• •SJC requires site-specific necessity analysis for denying solar special permits
• •General welfare concerns cannot serve as open-ended veto over protected solar uses
• •Municipalities must provide reasonable opportunities for large-scale solar systems

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