The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $9.5 million to four innovative projects aimed at studying how siting practices influence public attitudes and the permitting of large-scale solar facilities. This research seeks to generate actionable insights that will enhance outcomes for host communities, especially underserved ones, and benefit the solar industry.

"Solar energy can support regional sustainability goals, unlock stronger economies, and increase access to reliable and affordable clean energy resources," said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy. "These projects will support DOE’s commitment to helping communities across the nation make informed decisions about their own energy needs and ensure projects provide meaningful benefits to the host community."

A recent study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory revealed that community opposition is among the top three reasons for solar project cancellations, a challenge that has intensified over the past five years. Another study found that positive attitudes toward local large-scale solar projects outnumber negative ones by nearly three to one in communities within three miles of a project. These new research initiatives aim to deepen understanding of these social dynamics, facilitating solutions that benefit host communities, solar developers, and the climate.

The organizations receiving funding under the Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies 4 (SEEDS 4) program are:

• Michigan State University (East Lansing, Michigan): Researchers will evaluate ways to expedite large-scale solar siting and permitting processes while reducing community burdens and improving procedural justice and energy equity. This project will study ten large-scale projects in four different regions of the country. (Award amount: $2.5 million)

• Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey): This team will assess the potential for Community Benefit Agreements — legal agreements between community groups and large-scale solar developers — to deliver benefits to communities, build credibility in solar projects, and strengthen trust among stakeholders. (Award amount: $2 million)

• Solar and Storage Industries Institute (Washington, D.C.): This project will use the stakeholder-driven Solar Uncommon Dialogue, convened by the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Solar Energy Industries Association, and The Nature Conservancy, to identify effective community engagement practices for siting and permitting large-scale solar projects. (Award amount: $2.5 million)

• University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania): Researchers will study how different siting practices affect community support for large-scale solar projects and how these dynamics vary across different types of communities. (Award amount: $2.5 million)

The SEEDS 4 program is funded by DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. It builds on more than a decade of initiatives, including SEEDS, SEEDS 2-SES, and SEEDS 3, which have supported extensive research into the social aspects of solar energy adoption, generating strategies to accelerate solar deployment and ensure that all Americans benefit from the clean energy transition.

In addition to social science funding, DOE is bolstering state and local capacity for siting and permitting by investing in state-based collaboratives. These initiatives provide resources to local communities as they plan for and evaluate large-scale renewable energy projects.

Source: renewableenergyworld.com