Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Remote Sensing Of The Environmental Impacts Of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Plants, Mohammad Masih Edalat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Solar energy has many environmental benefits compared with fossil fuels but solar farming can have environmental impacts especially during construction and development. Thus, in order to enhance environmental sustainability, it is imperative to understand the environmental impacts of utility-scale solar energy (USSE) plants. During recent decades, remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems have become standard techniques in environmental applications. In this study, the environmental impacts of USSE plants are investigated by analyzing changes to land surface characteristics using remote sensing. The surface characteristics studied include land cover, land surface temperature, and hydrological response whereas changes are mapped by comparing …

To What Degree Do Retail Electricity Prices Inform Residential Solar Energy Investment Decisions?, Megan M. Davitt

Economics Honors Projects

The relationship between electricity price and household solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption has not been thoroughly studied. How much would a carbon tax, and increase in electricity price, spur growth in residential solar? This paper adds to the literature with a utility-level panel analysis. Consumer choice theory provides the framework for the empirical models. I use electricity price and net metered solar PV capacity data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Through a variety of specifications, I control for both utility and state-year effects. My findings suggest that electricity price is significantly positively correlated with solar adoption, with an estimated price …

University Of Richmond Sustainability Report, Robert Andrejewski

Reports

The 2016 University of Richmond Sustainability Report represents where we are now, recognizes significant accomplishments, and provides a launching point for future endeavors. We all have a role to play in the continued stewardship of this great place.

This document presents a summary of the data we collected. It serves the dual role of providing information on the considerable sustainability efforts underway and establishes a benchmark for our efforts as we move forward. There is much to be celebrated, and there is much to be done.