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Removal of topsoil and runoff associated with LSS
There was a provocative story in Reuters this morning about concerns over the removal of topsoil, increased soil erosion, and increased sediment runoff resulting from large-scale solar development. Anybody that’s witnessed construction of a LSS project understands the significant earth-moving and grading that accompany installation of the panels. There is undoubtedly an impact to the… Read more
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In MSU Today: New survey from MSU and others finds positive perceptions of solar projects
This survey marks the first nationally representative study of large scale solar neighbors As solar energy development accelerates, how do Americans actually feel about those large scale solar, or LSS, farms they see along the highway or near their neighborhood? A new survey has found that for residents living within three miles of a large-scale… Read more
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You can’t have your cheap solar and make it too
Today’s NY Times article examining China’s efforts to flood the market with cheap solar panels identifies an enduring conflict in the Biden clean-energy agenda: you can’t have both cheap panels and panels made in the US. And for Biden, one without the other is a loss. Cheap panels mean a speedy transition, more solar farms,… Read more
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New results from our national survey of large-scale solar neighbors
See our work featured in Inside Climate News. Additionally, the survey report is located here. We’ll be publishing more in-depth analyses soon. Read more
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Congratulations to Jake White for defending his MSc. Thesis on urban and brownfield solar development!!
Jake White successfully defended his MSc. Thesis this afternoon examining residents’ perceptions regarding and preferences for alternate development to urban and brownfield solar development in Michigan. He examined three communities and projects via an Every Door Direct Mail Survey. For more on his work see his Conversation article! Congrats, Jake! Looking forward to your PhD… Read more
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Detroiters more likely to support local solar power development if they think it reduces energy prices for their community (in The Conversation)
by Jake White!! and I Michigan residents overwhelmingly want more solar power. In the spring of 2023, nearly two-thirds of 1,000 state residents surveyed supported additional large-scale solar development. In the Energy Values Lab at Michigan State University, we study how the public, and specifically community members living near large-scale wind and solar projects, perceive… Read more
Doug Bessette, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University
Energy Values Lab 