DOE Invests $9.5 Million to Enhance Public Trust in Large-Scale Solar Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $9.5 million investment in four new projects aimed at bolstering public trust and understanding of large-scale solar developments. This initiative aligns with the United States’ net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, a crucial step considering that fossil fuel power plants contribute to 40% of all carbon dioxide pollution, according to the DOE. Notably, in 2023, solar energy accounted for over half of the new electricity generation capacity added, and it is projected to be the largest source of generating capacity on the U.S. grid by 2050.

The funding is part of the DOE’s Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies 4 (SEEDS 4) program, administered by the Solar Energy Technologies Office. The recipients include the Solar and Storage Industries Institute, Michigan State University, Princeton University, and the University of Pennsylvania. These projects will focus on how siting practices impact public attitudes and the permitting process for large-scale solar facilities.

Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2)

Awarded $2.5 million, SI2 will build on the stakeholder-driven “Uncommon Dialogue: Large-Scale U.S. Solar Development,” convened by Stanford University, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and The Nature Conservancy. This project aims to balance climate, conservation, and community imperatives in solar development. In partnership with the Uncommon Dialogue working groups, the project will identify best practices for community engagement, to be tested at actual large-scale solar sites. Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs will study how these practices influence local support for solar projects.

“We are incredibly excited to receive this award and thank the DOE for this opportunity to perform cutting-edge research on large-scale solar siting and permitting,” said David Gahl, executive director at SI2. “By testing stakeholder-developed community engagement practices at actual solar sites, we hope to yield new insights that improve outreach to host communities.”

Michigan State University

Michigan State University will receive $2.5 million to evaluate ways to accelerate large-scale solar siting and permitting processes while reducing community burdens and enhancing procedural justice and energy equity. The research will encompass ten large-scale solar projects across four regions in the United States.

Princeton University

Princeton University has been granted $2 million to assess the potential of Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). These legal agreements between community groups and solar developers aim to provide tangible benefits to communities, build credibility for solar projects, and foster trust among stakeholders.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania will receive $2.5 million to evaluate how different siting practices influence community support for large-scale solar projects, and how these dynamics vary across different types of communities.

The DOE’s investment in these projects underscores its commitment to ensuring that large-scale solar developments are met with public understanding and support. This is essential for the U.S. to achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals and transition towards a more sustainable energy future.