Understanding residents’ public acceptance of the development of solar farms

This study aims to understand which factors correlate with residents’ public acceptance of solar farms. To do so, a triangulation of methods is used around a case study in Enschede, the Netherlands, where an energy cooperative aims to develop several solar farms. By 1) conducting a document study, 2) through surveys held among residents and 3) interviews with relevant stakeholders, various factors are found. Best practices with regards to improving public acceptance are found by conducting interviews around a second case study, in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The findings of this study imply that factors discussed in academic literature concerning public acceptance of other sustainable energy projects can be used to understand residents’ public acceptance of solar farms as well. New factors are found as well, such as the aversion of residents against the use of farmland for solar farms and the role of local municipalities in the level of residents’ public acceptance. This study recommends further research into factors that specifically explain public acceptance for solar farms. Lastly, this study gives several practical recommendations for improving public acceptance for solar farms.