On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) selected the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) for a $3 million award to support stakeholder engagement, technical assistance, and educational resource development conducted as part of the Uncommon Dialogue on Large-Scale U.S. Solar Development and Land Conservation (Solar Uncommon Dialogue). The Solar Uncommon Dialogue was established in 2023 to develop new tools, best practices, and other consensus-based strategies to improve large-scale solar siting and permitting outcomes for communities and the solar industry. This initiative is co-convened by Stanford University’s Woods Institute for the Environment, The Nature Conservancy, the Solar Energy Industries Association, and SI2.
Objectives
Land-use conflicts over the siting and permitting of proposed large-scale solar facilities have increased as demand for solar energy has increased. The Solar Uncommon Dialogue seeks to develop consensus-based solutions for large-scale solar siting that have the potential to speed up project permitting and improve outcomes for host communities.
Approach
The Solar Uncommon Dialogue is identifying more effective strategies, tools, and best practices related to siting large-scale solar projects, protecting important natural and working lands, and meeting host community needs. More than 50 organizations representing the range of large-scale solar stakeholder interests are participating in this collaborative. This DOE funding will support stakeholder facilitation services and technical assistance, participation of under-resourced groups, and dissemination of project results and materials.
The project will result in a summary report on Solar Uncommon Dialogue findings with recommendations, best practices, and industry next steps, a public website with resources, and over a dozen public presentations. The findings and resources will be widely disseminated to reach diverse audiences and stakeholders across the country.
Additional Information
- Learn more about large-scale solar siting research at SETO.
- Read about solar energy, wildlife, and the environment.
- Apply for SETO's open funding opportunities.