Fostering Community Solar: A Student-Led Collaborative Program between UCLA and EIA University

Rapid and massive deployment of renewable energy systems is crucial in the struggle to tackle climate change. Given the important present and projected future growth of renewables, academics, decision-makers, and industry leaders are increasingly concerned about the justness of the transition and the necessity of expanding community participation and benefit. As the world looks for implementation mechanisms for the just transition, energy communities gain relevance as models that promote decarbonization and renewables, as well as advance energy democracy by enabling communities and citizens to participate directly in the transition. In energy communities, citizens actively collaborate to conduct activities related to the energy sector. 

Funded by an award from the 100K CLIMA Grant Competition, UCLA and EIA University are collaborating on a student-led comparative case study of community solar projects in Los Angeles, CA (CEC-funded Basset and Avocado Heights Advanced Energy Community) and Medellin, Colombia (La Comunidad Solar La Estrecha). UCLA and EIA University faculty and researchers have selected a cohort of undergraduate students and developed a training program to help them build knowledge of the energy system, relevant regulatory structures and institutions, and research methods. The students have co-designed and are now conducting a case study research project through stakeholder interviews, in-person exchanges and field visits, and other qualitative research methods. 

This award has not only provided new opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in academic research and international exchange, but also allowed UCLA and EIA University to formalize and expand their collaborations.