DOE invests in community engagement research for solar sites

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Preparing the build of a community solar project. Image: Reactivate.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has invested US$9.5 million in four institutions to examine the social impacts of utility-scale solar project siting.

Delivered under the Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies 4 programme, the funds went to three universities and the Solar and Storage Industries Institute, a trade research body.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

  • Michigan State University received US$2.5 million to “evaluate the potential to speed up large-scale solar siting and permitting processes while also reducing community burdens and improving procedural justice and energy equity.”
  • Princeton University received US$2 million to “assess the potential for Community Benefit Agreements—legal agreements between community groups and large-scale solar developers—to deliver tangible benefits to communities. “
  • The Solar and Storage Industries Institute received US$2.5 million to “identify innovative community engagement practices for siting and permitting large-scale solar projects” through leveraging the Solar Uncommon Dialogue programme run by the Stanford Woods Institute, an environmental research institute.
  • The University of Pennsylvania received US$2.5 million to “evaluate how different siting practices shape community support for large-scale solar projects and how those dynamics differ across different types of communities.”

Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy said: “”Solar energy can support regional sustainability goals, unlock stronger economies, and increase access to reliable and affordable clean energy resources. 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.”

In its investment announcement, the DOE cited research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), which said that community opposition is among the top three causes of project cancellations in the US, according to a survey of solar developers.

Interestingly, more Berkeley Lab research found that residents who live within three miles of a utility-scale solar project are three times more likely to have a positive view of the plant than negative.

Another piece of research from the Laboratory in January found that proximity to non-residential solar projects can increase the adoption of residential solar in neighbouring communities.

Engagement with communities also pertains to the permitting process for solar projects, which involves community consultation. In a statement to Congress earlier this year, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and other US industry leaders called for the easing of permitting procedures.

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

July 10, 2025
German renewables company BayWa r.e. has secured a €3 billion (US$3.5 billion) loan for 'operational initiatives and pipeline expansion.'
July 10, 2025
US renewables developer Invenergy has launched commercial operations of 250MW Fairbanks Solar Energy Center in Sullivan County, Indiana. 
July 10, 2025
A report published by the US Department of Energy (DOE) this week claims that the previous government’s support for renewable energy could cause blackouts to “increase by 100 times” by 2030.
July 10, 2025
UbiQD has signed a supply agreement with First Solar to supply its fluorescent quantum dot technology for use in the latter’s PV panels.
July 10, 2025
Copenhagen Energy has partnered with Thy-Mors Energi to set up a 100MW PV and BESS project in Ballerum, about 370km from Copenhagen. 
July 9, 2025
Caelux has finished the first sale of its perovskite glass, which will be paired with a silicon module developed by a 'reputable manufacturer'.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK