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Program: Center for EmPowering Communities
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The rapid expansion of large-scale solar (LSS) projects across the U.S. brings both benefits and challenges to local communities. However, a critical gap exists in understanding these impacts, leaving residents and decision-makers reliant on developers or anecdotal evidence. With increasing pressure to meet clean energy targets, some municipalities resort to restrictive measures, highlighting the urgency for community-centered approaches.
Our collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab aims to address this gap by partnering with local communities. Through a mixed-method, community-based approach, we seek to comprehensively analyze concerns, benefits, and drawbacks of LSS projects. Our goal is to empower communities to shape solar developments aligned with their values, land use planning, and principles of justice.
As part of this effort, we conducted a national survey, gathering insights from 984 respondents across 380 projects in 39 states. While not project-specific, the survey represents diverse perspectives on LSS impacts. Notably, although positive attitudes toward projects outnumbered negative attitudes by a ratio of 3 to 1, many respondents indicated areas for improvement in the planning process. For example, less than 1/5 of respondents were aware of the project before construction began, which limited their opportunities to engage.
Additionally, we will engage in planning with six potential host communities. Using insights from the survey and planning engagement, we aim to develop community-centered and audience-specific plans for prospective LSS developments. We will also produce a guidebook and checklist to facilitate broader adoption of these practices.
This project seeks to foster a just energy transition by prioritizing community well-being and participation in solar development processes. Through rigorous analysis, engagement, and dissemination of findings, we aim to inform and empower stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels. For more information, visit communitycenteredsolar.lbl.gov/research.