Operationalizing social equity in public policy design: A comparative analysis of solar equity policies in the United States

Abstract

While it is widely recognized that energy injustices are prevalent in the clean energy transition process, there has been limited research attention on policy efforts aiming to mitigate these inequities. In this paper, we use solar equity policies as an empirical case study to understand how social equity considerations are conceptualized and operationalized in energy policy content. We build upon the policy design literature and code institutional statements of 54 solar equity policies adopted between 2001 and 2021 in the United States. In our comparative analysis, we focus on three levels of policy design elements that can be directly observed in written policy language: macro‐policy goal construction, meso‐policy instrument choices, and micro‐level policy settings and calibrations. We find that the policy goal of energy justice is multifaceted, with a great emphasis on solar energy accessibility and provision of economic benefits and security for disadvantaged communities. There is a dominant preference by policymakers to use redistributive policies and community solar programs to advance energy justice‐related goals. Solar equity policy instruments on‐the‐ground measures have also been calibrated to target specific disadvantaged populations in the energy system, which focus mostly on income‐based vulnerability.

Comparison of the demographics of residential rooftop and community solar adopters

“…While adoption inequity is common among emerging technologies 6 , rooftop solar adoption inequity could pose unique challenges to clean energy transitions and grid decarbonization 7,8 . A growing number of policies seek to ensure equitable access to solar adoption 9 .…”

“…Unlike rooftop solar, community solar poses no speci c barriers to adoption for renters or multifamily building occupants. As a result, community solar is often theorized to promote more equitable solar access 13,[15][16][17][18] , and is increasingly integrated into U.S. solar adoption equity policies 9 . The federal In ation Reduction Act includes tax credits for projects serving LMI communities or customers, and at least 17 states have incentives or regulations that promote LMI community solar [19][20][21] .…”