Just Solar Energy – Photovoltaics in urban and rural contexts from a justice perspective

Research Project, 2023 – 2025

This interdisciplinary project is based on the rapidly growing investment in photovoltaic (PV) systems in cities and rural areas in Sweden, and an increased need to understand how such an investment can be made in a socially sustainable and just way. When it comes to PV facilities (incl. PV parks), there are many complex problems to consider with different legitimate conflicting goals and interests. To make these decisions in a well-thought-out, nuanced, and transparent way, new and more proactive approaches are needed. In this project, we use practical philosophy to understand justice aspects of the
expansion of PV facilities as well as participation methods to conduct dialogue between actors. The result includes a practical decision-making tool offering support to actors who are involved in different ways in processes making socially sustainable and just PV installations. Furthermore, the project can contribute new knowledge that can form the basis for e.g. improved permit processes.