Magazine

Last edition
july-august 2024

Home › Renewable energy ›DOE Invests USD 9.5 Million in Social Science Research to Boost Solar Project Acceptance

DOE Invests USD 9.5 Million in Social Science Research to Boost Solar Project Acceptance

This research aims to generate actionable insights that will improve outcomes for host communities, especially those underserved, and advance the solar industry's growth.

June 06, 2024. By Abha Rustagi

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an investment of USD 9.5 million in four new projects aimed at supporting social science research to examine how siting practices affect public attitudes and permitting processes for large-scale solar facilities.

This research aims to generate actionable insights that will improve outcomes for host communities, especially those underserved, and advance the solar industry's growth. This initiative aligns with DOE's goal of achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, necessitating the deployment of hundreds of gigawatts of solar capacity within the next decade.

"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," added Marootian.

Research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory indicates that community opposition is a leading cause of solar project cancellations, with opposition increasing over the past five years. However, another study found that positive attitudes towards local large-scale solar projects outnumber negative attitudes nearly three to one within communities located within three miles of a project. The newly funded projects will enhance understanding of these social dynamics, helping communities and developers find mutually beneficial solutions.

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

Michigan State University (East Lansing, Michigan): Researchers will evaluate methods to expedite large-scale solar siting and permitting while reducing community burdens and enhancing procedural justice and energy equity. The study will focus on ten large-scale projects across four regions of the country. (Award amount: USD 2.5 million)

Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey): This project will assess the effectiveness of Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs)—legal agreements between community groups and solar developers—in delivering tangible benefits to communities, building credibility for solar projects, and strengthening stakeholder trust. (Award amount: USD 2 million)

Solar and Storage Industries Institute (Washington, D.C.): Leveraging the stakeholder-driven Solar Uncommon Dialogue, this project will identify innovative community engagement practices for siting and permitting large-scale solar projects and evaluate their impact on host communities and the solar industry. (Award amount: USD 2.5 million)

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

Funded by DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Office within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, SEEDS 4 builds on over a decade of research from previous SEEDS initiatives. These programs have explored the social aspects of solar energy adoption, developing strategies to accelerate solar deployment while ensuring all Americans benefit from the clean energy transition.

In addition to funding social science research, DOE is also enhancing state and local capacity for siting and permitting by investing in state-based collaboratives. These collaboratives provide resources to local communities for planning and evaluating large-scale renewable energy projects.

Tags:

Solar PV

US Department of Energy