Utility-scale solar and public attitudes toward siting: A critical examination of proximity

Carlisle, Juliet E.; Solan, David; Kane, Stephanie L.; Joe, Jeffrey C.

doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.08.006

Cited by 73 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Much of the research on the public's views on renewable energy has focused on local level factors influencing proximate residents' responses to new energy facilities [44][45][46][47][48]. These studies have found that local perception of renewable facilities can be more contentious than broad public opinion about renewable energy [3,49].…”

Section: Public Opinion Research On Energy Preferencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Preferences in a Shifting Energy Future: Comparing Public Views of Eight Energy Sources in North America’s Pacific Northwest

Hazboun

Boudet

2020

Energies

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The U.S. and Canada continue to face major changes in energy production. Mounting awareness of the climate crisis has placed increasing importance on developing renewable energy sources, however, advances in fossil fuel extraction technology have opened vast domestic reserves of oil and natural gas. Public preferences for energy policy play a role in determining energy futures, but researchers rarely simultaneously compare public views across multiple renewable and non-renewable energies or across country boundaries. Here, we used a 2019 online survey sample (n = 1500) to compare predictors of support for eight fuel sources for electricity generation in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington and Oregon, USA. Results indicate the highest support overall for renewables (wind, solar, wave/tidal energy, geothermal) and the lowest for fossil fuels (coal and natural gas), nuclear, and hydropower. Mixed-effects regression modeling indicates that views on climate and the balance between environment and economy were consistent predictors of support across most energy types, while political ideology was less consistent. Perceived local importance of both extractive and renewable energy industries were significant predictors of support for some, but not all, energy sources, as were education and gender. Overall, our research suggests that while divisions persist in public energy preferences for both renewable and non-renewable sources, there is the broadest support for renewable energy technologies.

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Section: Public Opinion Research On Energy Preferencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Preferences in a Shifting Energy Future: Comparing Public Views of Eight Energy Sources in North America’s Pacific Northwest

Hazboun

Boudet

2020

Energies

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“…This study examines the siting process for mega-solar. Much research has covered the importance of engaging local stakeholders in the siting process for renewables, especially wind (e.g., Wüstenhagen et al, 2007Wüstenhagen et al, :2684Wolsink, 2007), or how locals' attachment to place motivates opposition to renewables (e.g., Batel and Devine-Wright, 2014;Carlisle et al, 2016). These studies describe why some communities oppose renewables, but not whether or how much locals, governments, and market conditions affect siting renewables.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Governance and Disasters Shape Renewable Energy Transitions: The Case of Japanese Mega‐Solar*

Fraser

2019

Social Science Quarterly

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Objectives This mixed‐methods study examines whether governance and disasters affect towns that host more renewable power plants, focusing on solar facilities in Japan after the 3/11 disaster. Methods I tested the effects of various factors on multiple sizes of feed‐in tariff certified solar power plants with negative binomial models. I confirmed those effects through process tracing using 14 interviews with local stakeholders from two prefectural case studies. Results Most prefectures boost solar power plant siting, especially for small plants 10–499 kilowatts (kW) in size. However, towns more damaged by disaster host less 10–499 kW plants because disasters create land‐use problems for solar. Conclusion When prefectures share information about renewable resources with local residents, they can compete more evenly with extraprefectural companies. However, disaster areas face extra governance challenges when introducing solar. Good subnational governance is vital to creating a more equitable, locally engaged renewable energy transition.

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“…However, renewable energy development projects often face public opposition when it comes to specific projects in specific places. This resistance has led some researchers to emphasize the potential "NIMBY" (not in my backyard) sentiment characterizing public perceptions of renewable energy development, suggesting that proximity to development and particularly the visual impacts of development are key to understanding resistance to solar development projects, although research suggests that proximity is just one potential factor and that land type and current land use also matter [12,13]. Sometimes concern regarding solar development project siting is centered on risks to wildlife and ecosystems, and planning tools can help to mitigate conflicts by considering environmental impacts in solar siting scenarios [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ratepayer Perspectives on Mid- to Large-Scale Solar Development on Long Island, NY: Lessons for Reducing Siting Conflict through Supported Development Types

et al. 2020

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The state of New York has ambitious mandates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy generation. Solar energy will play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the electric energy sector. Concerns over solar installations’ impacts to host communities and the environment have led to growing conflicts over solar energy siting on Long Island, in other parts of New York, and throughout the US. Understanding community members’ perspectives is critical for reducing conflict. Solar energy can be deployed more quickly and at lower cost if projects are structured to address the concerns and meet the needs of the community. This paper presents the results of a survey of residential utility ratepayers that examined their perceptions, preferences, and priorities concerning mid- to large-scale solar development on Long Island (250 kW and larger). The survey asked respondents to consider specific installation types, financial models, and other aspects of solar development. Results indicate that respondents were overwhelmingly supportive of mid- to large-scale solar development in their communities. The most highly supported development types were solar systems on rooftops and solar systems that are co-located with other land uses (mixed use) at a particular site, such as parking canopies, landfills, or integration with agriculture. The most highly supported financial models included privately funded projects by local developers and community solar projects. The largest concern about solar development expressed by respondents did not involve tree removal or visibility (as initially hypothesized to be the most significant considerations) but rather the fairness of the distribution of economic benefits associated with solar development. This paper provides concrete insight into particular models of solar development that may invoke less conflict and more community support.

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Utility-scale solar and public attitudes toward siting: A critical examination of proximity

Cited by 73 publications

References 43 publications

Public Preferences in a Shifting Energy Future: Comparing Public Views of Eight Energy Sources in North America’s Pacific Northwest

Public Preferences in a Shifting Energy Future: Comparing Public Views of Eight Energy Sources in North America’s Pacific Northwest

How Governance and Disasters Shape Renewable Energy Transitions: The Case of Japanese Mega‐Solar*

Ratepayer Perspectives on Mid- to Large-Scale Solar Development on Long Island, NY: Lessons for Reducing Siting Conflict through Supported Development Types

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