Locally charged: Energy justice outcomes of a low-income community solar project in Michigan

摘要: The global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy has potential to mitigate or exacerbate injustices in the current energy system. Barriers to solar adoption can prohibit low-to-moderate income (LMI) households from realizing the financial benefits of ownership. At the same time, these households are more exposed to cost increases due to aging grid infrastructure and increased demand due to electrification. Procedural injustices mount when those renewables are sited without involving residents in decision-making. Community solar, which allows multiple owners or subscribers to benefit from a single solar array, is considered one solution to these distributional and procedural justice challenges because of its potential to localize energy benefits and decision-making. However, community solar projects and their outcomes vary widely. This study explores one community solar project in a rural community in …