Small Towns, Big Impact: Rural Leadership in the Clean Energy Era
I. Introduction
Rural communities across the U.S.—like Thompson, Connecticut; Imperial Valley, California; and Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i—are emerging as pivotal leaders in the clean energy transition. Leveraging local strengths such as open land, agricultural innovation, and community-driven initiatives, these regions are embracing solar power, energy storage, and sustainable lithium extraction. From Thompson’s solar farms and dairy digesters to Moloka‘i’s microgrids and Imperial Valley’s large-scale solar and lithium projects, rural areas are proving essential in building a resilient, inclusive clean energy future. Despite challenges like limited infrastructure and policy barriers, continued investment, collaboration, and supportive legislation can empower rural communities to lead the way toward a greener economy.
II. The Role of Rural Communities in Clean Energy Transition
Rural communities face challenges in the clean energy transition—from limited infrastructure and energy access to a deep-rooted reliance on legacy industries like agriculture and fossil fuels. But alongside those barriers is a powerful need for bold, thoughtful, innovations that expand access to clean energy, protect the environment, and center equity and inclusion every step of the way. Overcoming these challenges means recognizing and activating the unique strengths rural communities already hold—strengths that have long been overlooked but are finally being brought into focus by the shift toward clean energy. Renewable energy projects have the power to create jobs, support local economies, and build long-term resilience. And with lower land costs, open space, and deep community roots, rural areas are uniquely positioned to lead. From hosting large-scale solar and wind farms to pioneering energy storage and lithium extraction, this isn’t just about power—it’s about building a cleaner, more inclusive future from the ground up.
III. Rural Clean Energy Leadership
A. Thompson, Connecticut:
Large-Scale Solar Development
Out in northeastern Connecticut, the town of Thompson is a notable leader of rural clean energy innovations through large-scale solar development and advanced agricultural energy projects. The town is the site of a proposed 2.95 MW AC ground-mounted solar photovoltaic facility at 77 Pompeo Road, developed by C-TEC Solar, LLC. This project, pending final approvals, is expected to begin construction in 2025 and will participate in Connecticut’s Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program, providing renewable energy credits and supporting the state’s sustainability goals. The facility will be located on approximately 16 acres within the Rural Residential Agricultural zoning district and is anticipated to deliver economic and environmental benefits to Thompson, including increased municipal tax revenue and job creation during construction (CT Siting Council, 2024).
Innovative Agricultural Energy Projects
In addition to solar, Thompson is also home to Connecticut’s first biogas dairy digester at Fort Hill Farms. This cutting edge project, developed in partnership with Ag-Grid Energy, the Connecticut Green Bank, and Live Oak Bank, converts food waste and manure into renewable electricity and soil products. When fully operational, the digester can generate 550 kilowatts of electricity and process 25,000 tons of organic waste annually, further reinforcing Thompson’s commitment to sustainable energy and agricultural practices (Connecticut Green Bank, 2022).
Collaborative Clean Energy Leadership
Thompson’s clean energy initiatives are characterized by partnerships among local landowners, agricultural businesses, and renewable energy developers, exemplified by both the Pompeo Road solar project and the Fort Hill Farms digester. These collaborations support local economic growth, enhance sustainability, and serve as a model for rural energy transition in Connecticut.
B. Molokai‘i, Hawaii:
Hawai’'s tropical location allows it to be a leader in solar energy. With a goal of being 100% renewable energy powered by 2045, Hawai’i relies on six isolated island grids — one for each of the major islands (O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai’i Island, Kaua‘i, Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i) (Hawai’i State Energy Office). Solar energy is a cost effective solution for Hawai’i because the state imports most of its fossil fuels, making electricity very expensive.
Rural Solar Deployment in Hawai‘i
Renewable energy has increasingly become an economically attractive alternative, especially in rural communities. Programs like Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority’s solar financing and nonprofits such as Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative on Molokaʻi have worked to expand access to solar in underserved areas (Coalition for Green Capital, 2022). However, solar adoption can be uneven due to economic disparities, limited grid infrastructure, and fewer large-scale developers targeting these areas. Agricultural communities, though they have space to install solar arrays, often cannot afford the high initial costs.
Energy Solutions to Storage and Grid Reliability
A major barrier for rural Hawaiian communities is the intermittency of solar power, especially in places where the electric grid is fragile or non-existent (Grist, 2024). Without robust energy storage systems, excess solar energy produced during the day can't be stored for use at night or during cloudy periods, making communities vulnerable to outages and limiting their ability to rely solely on solar.
Thus, microgrids and lithium-ion battery storage systems have emerged as a solution to such issues. The Kalaupapa Settlement in Molokaʻi now operates with a solar-plus-storage microgrid that allows it to reduce dependence on diesel generators, providing reliable and cleaner power (Grid, 2024). There are also efforts in Lanai to develop a fully renewable grid using solar and storage, with microgrid planning to ensure self-reliance and climate resilience (NextEra Energy). On the battery storage side, KUIC is pioneering a large solar-plus-storage project that serves as a model for rural grids (Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, 2023).
C. Imperial Valley, California:
A Key Player in Solar and Lithium Imperial Valley, California, is becoming a central figure in the clean energy transition, leveraging its exceptional solar irradiance and abundant geothermal resources. Large-scale solar projects like Mount Signal Solar capitalize on the region's ideal conditions, delivering significant economic and environmental benefits to local communities.
Solar Energy Potential
Imperial Valley is home to some of the highest solar irradiance levels in the U.S., making it prime territory for utility-scale solar farms. Mount Signal Solar is among the world’s largest photovoltaic facilities with a total nameplate capacity of approximately 794 MWp (614 MW AC). It was constructed on low-productivity farmland. This initiative aligns with California’s Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), which aims to guide renewable energy development in the region and state (California Energy Commission, 2021).
Economic and Environmental Impact
Even in this budding first wave of projects, solar development has significantly stimulated local economic growth in Imperial Valley, generating hundreds of construction and maintenance jobs and attracting substantial investment. For example, Mount Signal Solar alone created over 700 direct jobs during peak construction (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2020). In addition to jobs, these projects help reduce dependency on fossil fuels, generate domestic energy, provide cleaner and cost-effective power, lower emissions, and generate tax revenues that support public infrastructure improvements (California Energy Commission, 2021).
Lithium Extraction Innovations
The Imperial Valley is also becoming a crucial area for sustainable lithium extraction from geothermal brine near the Salton Sea. The Hell’s Kitchen project, developed by Controlled Thermal Resources, will be the region’s first operational commercial lithium extraction plant and aims to use direct lithium extraction (DLE) techniques that avoid open-pit mining and evaporation ponds. The project integrates lithium recovery with renewable geothermal power production, with the first stage expected to produce about 25,000 metric tonnes of lithium hydroxide and 49.9 MW of renewable power annually (Controlled Thermal Resources, 2024). This approach is considered significantly less environmentally damaging than traditional mining methods (California Energy Commission, 2022).
Integrated Energy Solutions
The Imperial Valley’s initiatives have led to engaging the community by prioritizing local hiring programs and partnerships with community organizations. For instance, the construction of Mount Signal 2 included the hiring of over 200 local workers and partnerships with local nonprofits (8minute Solar Energy, 2021). Furthermore, Imperial Valley College has created workforce training programs, such as the LIFT (Lithium Industry Force Training) program, to equip residents with skills for careers in renewable energy and lithium extraction. The first cohort of 48 students completed the plant operator program in 2024, with further training for chemical and instrumentation technicians underway (Imperial Valley College, 2024).
The Imperial Valley’s integrated approaches—combining solar energy, lithium extraction, and energy storage—create resilient, self-sufficient energy systems. Locally generated renewable power, stored in batteries, reduces dependency on centralized infrastructure and bolsters local energy resilience. This strategy presents substantial economic opportunities, creating jobs, supporting local enterprises, and attracting further clean energy investment (Smart Growth California, 2025).
IV. Challenges and Future Outlook for Rural Communities
Rural communities like Thompson, Connecticut; Imperial Valley, California; and Molokaʻi, Hawai’i, face common challenges, including environmental and social concerns related to land use, water consumption, and stewardship responsibilities. Infrastructure limitations, such as restricted access to transmission lines and grid integration challenges, require strategic upgrades to effectively support large-scale solar and energy storage projects. Engaging local communities meaningfully ensures equitable benefits and addresses local concerns effectively. Substantial opportunities for growth exist through continued investment in renewable energy projects and infrastructure enhancements. Thompson's proactive initiatives illustrate the potential for rural areas to significantly benefit from renewable energy and equitable development strategies. Similarly, Imperial Valley's expansion of solar and lithium extraction projects positions the region as a central contributor to the clean energy economy, driving economic and environmental advancements in rural communities. For Hawai’i, its unique standing as a collection of islands and thus separate grids makes it important that microgrid developments and battery storage development are integrated into all island grids.
Policy can also be a significant barrier to solar development in rural communities, particularly when regulations fail to support distributed energy solutions. In states like Ohio, for example, restrictive net metering policies, limited incentives for rural residents, and a strong utility lobbying presence have hindered the growth of solar energy in less urbanized areas. Many rural Ohio communities face challenges such as zoning laws that limit where solar panels can be installed or lack access to state-level funding and technical assistance for renewable energy projects. Additionally, large investor-owned utilities have historically pushed back against community solar or third-party ownership models that would make solar more affordable and accessible for rural residents. This stands in contrast to more supportive policy environments, like in Hawaiʻi, where state-led initiatives and utility cooperation have helped expand rural solar deployment. Without policy frameworks that prioritize energy equity and local empowerment, rural communities in places like Ohio often remain left behind in the clean energy transition.
V. Conclusion
Rural communities in Connecticut, Hawai’i, and California are uniquely positioned to lead the clean energy transition. With their access to abundant natural resources, lower land costs, and strong community ties, these areas offer significant unique opportunities and approaches for clean energy initiatives. At the same time, they face real challenges—limited infrastructure, economic reliance on traditional industries, and the need for equitable access to clean technologies. To ensure these communities thrive as clean energy leaders, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local residents must work together. By investing in renewable projects, supporting workforce development, and prioritizing inclusive, sustainable practices, we can ensure rural areas are not only part of the clean energy future—but central to it.