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

Author

Listed:
  • Chelsea Schelly

    (Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49930, USA)

  • Emily Prehoda

    (Chart House Energy LLC, Muskegon, MI 49441, USA)

  • Jessica Price

    (Landscape Conservation Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy New York Division, Long Island, NY 11937, USA)

  • Aimee Delach

    (Senior Policy Analyst, Climate Adaptation, Defenders of Wildlife, Washington, DC 20036, USA)

  • Rupak Thapaliya

    (Renewable Energy & Wildlife Policy Analyst, Defenders of Wildlife, Washington, DC 20036, USA)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Chelsea Schelly & Emily Prehoda & Jessica Price & Aimee Delach & Rupak Thapaliya, 2020. "Ratepayer Perspectives on Mid- to Large-Scale Solar Development on Long Island, NY: Lessons for Reducing Siting Conflict through Supported Development Types," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:21:p:5628-:d:435868
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. van der Horst, Dan, 2007. "NIMBY or not? Exploring the relevance of location and the politics of voiced opinions in renewable energy siting controversies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 2705-2714, May.
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    5. Carlisle, Juliet E. & Kane, Stephanie L. & Solan, David & Bowman, Madelaine & Joe, Jeffrey C., 2015. "Public attitudes regarding large-scale solar energy development in the U.S," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 835-847.
    6. Brewer, Justin & Ames, Daniel P. & Solan, David & Lee, Randy & Carlisle, Juliet, 2015. "Using GIS analytics and social preference data to evaluate utility-scale solar power site suitability," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 825-836.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kristina Lebedeva & Andris Krumins & Antra Tamane & Egils Dzelzitis, 2021. "Analysis of Latvian Households’ Potential Participation in the Energy Market as Prosumers," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Pascaris1, Alexis S. & Schelly, Chelsea & Rouleau, Mark & Pearce, Joshua M., 2021. "Do Agrivoltaics Improve Public Support for Solar Photovoltaic Development? Survey Says: Yes!," SocArXiv efasx, Center for Open Science.
    3. Chelsea Schelly & Don Lee & Elise Matz & Joshua M. Pearce, 2021. "Applying a Relationally and Socially Embedded Decision Framework to Solar Photovoltaic Adoption: A Conceptual Exploration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Marie Schaefer & Laura Schmitt Olabisi & Kristin Arola & Christie M. Poitra & Elise Matz & Marika Seigel & Chelsea Schelly & Adewale Adesanya & Doug Bessette, 2021. "Understanding Socio-Technological Systems Change through an Indigenous Community-Based Participatory Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-13, February.

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