Research

Here’s my quick take on large-scale solar and heat islands, having very quickly reviewed the literature below: Bottom line: temperatures do rise immediately above and adjacent to solar farms, but decrease under the panels. Vegetation mitigates these effects. The temperature increases also dissipate rapidly as you move away from the panels. Solar farms do not… Read more

Expanding electricity access (Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7) and empowering women (SDG 5) are closely linked. Most studies quantifying the benefits of the former for women focus on their economic empowerment; however, if and how such access results in women’s empowerment is best understood by examining the cultural context, norms, and gender roles in which… Read more

The Energy Values Lab in the Department of Community Sustainability, led by Doug Bessette, at Michigan State University has been selected for a $2,500,000 award by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office! This interdisciplinary and multi-institution project aims to answer a single comprehensive research question: how can we speed large-scale solar permitting… Read more

Dan Gearino writes about our study of a community solar project in L’ Anse, Michigan. Read more

One of the chief concerns of rural residents faced with large-scale solar (LSS) proposals are those projects’ impact to the local agricultural economy. While the construction of LSS creates temporary jobs and economic activity at local businesses, e.g., hotels, gas stations, restaurants and hardware stores, once the project is complete and operational, the full-time equivalents… Read more