Survey reveals broad support for solar projects among nearby residents

Survey reveals broad support for solar projects among nearby residents

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 26, 2024

A national survey conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan reveals that Americans living close to large-scale solar (LSS) farms generally view them favorably. The survey, which queried nearly 1,000 residents within three miles of LSS installations, indicated that positive attitudes towards these projects are nearly three times more prevalent than negative ones.

This survey is notable as it represents the first nationwide, representative assessment of public perceptions towards solar developments. Among those surveyed, 42% supported further solar developments in their communities, while only 18% opposed more projects. Interestingly, over 80% of participants were initially unaware of the solar projects prior to their construction, and a third remained unaware until they participated in the survey.

Doug Bessette, an associate professor in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University, highlighted the generally positive feedback but noted challenges with larger projects and those located very close to residences. “The responses from residents were generally positive, which is good to see considering the amount of solar that is likely to be developed in the coming years,” Bessette said. “At the same time, we saw more negative attitudes associated with larger projects and somewhat less support amongst neighbors living really close, within a quarter mile of projects, so there’s a lot of work to be done.”

Residents showed a clear preference for using disturbed sites like landfills for future projects over farmland and expressed a strong desire for more community involvement in the planning process. Local hiring and ownership were also preferred. For accurate information on potential impacts, residents trust fellow community members, local organizations, and university staff the most.

Jake White, a doctoral student involved in the study, emphasized the importance of community engagement. “Our findings show that LSS neighbors want to be engaged more, with respondents strongly supporting increased opportunities for participation in planning processes,” White explained. “This demonstrates a big opportunity for improvement in LSS planning processes – hopefully leading to better outcomes for all.”

The survey also suggests that while there is substantial support for solar energy, significant efforts in community engagement and communication are necessary to enhance public acceptance and address equity concerns within future LSS projects.

“We were happy to see this last one,” Bessette noted.

Research Report:Perceptions of Large-Scale Solar Project Neighbors: Results From a National Survey