Addressing Regulatory Challenges to Tribal Solar Deployment: Preprint

Conference · Wed Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08786-8_2· OSTI ID:1874251

Beshilas, Laura; Belding, Scott; Wadsack, Karin; Weber, Elizabeth; Anderson, M. J.; Dillon, Kelsey; Drescher, Sara; Glavin, Jake; Martinez, Reuben

Although Tribal land represents more than 5% of the solar photovoltaic technical potential in the United States, this resource is largely untapped due to a range of barriers, including complex project economics, Tribal technical and human resource capacity, project funding and financing obstacles, and regulatory challenges. To identify and better understand the regulatory barriers, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) engaged Tribes, utilities, and regulators. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the 3-year effort seeks to address regulatory challenges or barriers that affect Tribal solar projects differently - specifically or disproportionately because they are located on Tribal lands. This paper, largely excerpted from a comprehensive (draft) guidebook released by NREL and MTERA, provides an overview of 13 key regulatory barriers identified through this research, as well as potential short- and long-term solutions. In addition, the paper points to potential pathways for addressing key barriers through case studies highlighting successful Tribal solar projects along with considerations for stakeholders working with Tribes. These resources can support stakeholders in creating meaningful relationships and pursuing workable solar projects.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1874251
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-7A40-82725; MainId:83498; UUID:5b4a4ad8-07b0-4ccc-b7b9-fa09127fa358; MainAdminID:64386
• Conference Information: Presented at ASES Solar 2022, 21-24 June 2022, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY,SOLAR ENERGY
tribal energy resources
tribal solar development
tribal sovereignty