Integration of Public Perception in the Assessment of Licensed Solar Farms: A Case Study in Greece

Anna Codemo (), Ambra Barbini, Ahi Mantouza, Anastasios Bitziadis and Rossano Albatici
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Anna Codemo: Department of Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
Ambra Barbini: Department of Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
Ahi Mantouza: Consortis, 27 Georgikis Scholis Avenue, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Anastasios Bitziadis: Consortis Geospatial, 27 Georgikis Scholis Avenue, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Rossano Albatici: Department of Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-25

Abstract: The increasing adoption of solar power plants requires the consideration of different aspects involved in the transformation of landscape. In this view, recent studies encourage public engagement and landscape integration strategies in the decision-making process to ensure an accepted and inclusive energy transition. However, there is limited knowledge on how to include landscape considerations in the planning processes, specifically on public perception and values. This work aims to assess five licensed solar farms in the region of Central Macedonia (Greece) based on the opinion of the inhabitants. The paper presents the results of an online and onsite questionnaire administered in different villages around the study area in October 2022. The survey utilized the potential benefits and impacts, as well as siting criteria and spatial configuration strategies, taken from literature to describe public perception and preferences. The methodology consists of three phases: investigation of public perception on solar farms; operationalization of the results to make them spatially explicit; overall suitability of the areas and mitigation strategies. The results illustrate the prioritization of the perceived impacts and benefits of photovoltaic installations and highlight the different levels of suitability of the areas and possible mitigation measures. The proposed approach is complementary to the planning processes taking into account societal considerations.

Keywords: solar energy landscapes; public perception; solar siting; landscape integration; site assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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