A recent survey of nearly 1,000 residents living within 3 miles of large-scale solar energy developments across the United States reveals that positive attitudes toward these projects outnumber negative ones by almost a 3-to-1 margin.
Conducted by Berkeley Lab in collaboration with researchers from the University of Michigan, the nationally representative survey sheds light on community perspectives of large-scale solar projects. These projects are defined as ground-mounted photovoltaic systems generating 1 megawatt or more of direct current.
“We’re encouraged by the generally positive responses from residents living near large-scale solar projects, but the survey also highlights opportunities to better integrate resident preferences into the planning process,” said Karl Hoesch, a researcher at U-M’s Graham Sustainability Institute.
The survey found that positive attitudes are more prevalent among residents living farther from the projects compared to those living closer. Larger projects tend to evoke negative attitudes, while smaller ones (under 100 megawatts) receive mostly positive responses.
Factors such as aesthetics, economics, and perceptions of fairness in the planning process strongly influence attitudes. Residents generally support additional large-scale solar projects in their communities, particularly on disturbed sites like landfills as opposed to forests and farmland.
However, residents prefer increased opportunities for community participation and feedback over increased state-level decision-making on future large-scale solar siting. They also express a preference for local hiring, procurement, and ownership.
To inform residents about proposed projects, they trust existing energy project neighbors, community organizations, and university staff. Despite the prevalence of large-scale solar projects, many residents were unaware of their local project before construction, highlighting the need for improved awareness and engagement strategies.
“Our findings emphasize the importance of local engagement and transparency in solar project development. Understanding and accommodating community preferences is essential for ensuring an equitable and just energy transition,” said Sarah Mills, director of the Center for EmPowering Communities at U-M.
This survey represents the first nationally representative study of large-scale solar neighbors, offering valuable insights into community perceptions. Further analysis is planned to delve deeper into influencing factors and equity concerns.
