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Contentious eye-catchers: Perceptions of landscapes changed by solar power plants in Slovenia

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  • Bevk, Tadej
  • Golobič, Mojca

Abstract

While renewable energy sources enjoy high public support, projects are rarely implemented without opposition. The term energy landscapes indicates that landscape change is amongst the most frequent issues. This study researched lay people’s perceptions of landscapes changed by solar power plants. The first objective was to discover how likely solar power plants are to be noticed in the landscape. The second objective was to determine the associations observers make when spotting a solar power plant. The data was collected by participatory photography and focus groups. Participants visited six solar power plants. The results show that they are highly noticeable and contentious objects. Participants who understood the landscape as a rural idyll disapproved of solar power plants, while for those who perceived the landscape through a utilitarian narrative, the (mis)fit of the solar power plant depended on its relation to the surrounding landscape structure. Landscape degradation was contrasted with low-carbon energy and developmental benefits. The results provide evidence on the interdependence of visual and non-visual factors and suggest improvements in planning and design of solar power plants. While the method gives a rich in-depth insight into landscape perception, it is also context dependent and needs further research to obtain more generalisable results.

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  • Bevk, Tadej & Golobič, Mojca, 2020. "Contentious eye-catchers: Perceptions of landscapes changed by solar power plants in Slovenia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 999-1010.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:152:y:2020:i:c:p:999-1010
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.01.108
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    5. Noriko Akita & Yasuo Ohe & Shoko Araki & Makoto Yokohari & Toru Terada & Jay Bolthouse, 2020. "Managing Conflicts with Local Communities over the Introduction of Renewable Energy: The Solar-Rush Experience in Japan," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Sirnik, I. & Sluijsmans, J. & Oudes, D. & Stremke, S., 2023. "Circularity and landscape experience of agrivoltaics: A systematic review of literature and built systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    7. Oudes, D. & Stremke, S., 2021. "Next generation solar power plants? A comparative analysis of frontrunner solar landscapes in Europe," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    8. Josef Navrátil & Stanislav Martinát & Tomáš Krejčí & Petr Klusáček & Richard J. Hewitt, 2021. "Conversion of Post-Socialist Agricultural Premises as a Chance for Renewable Energy Production. Photovoltaics or Biogas Plants?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-21, November.

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