This paper critically examines how existing renewable energy policies in the United States enable or hinder the development of commoning practices in energy systems, with a focus on the rapidly expanding sector of large-scale solar (LSS) energy deployment. As the transition to renewable energy accelerates, there is a growing tension between top-down, large-scale energy infrastructure projects and bottom-up, community-driven initiatives. This research explores the policy landscape that shapes these dynamics and its implications for energy commons.
Drawing on an analysis of federal and state-level renewable energy policies, as well as case studies of LSS siting processes, we investigate how current policy frameworks impact community engagement, local control, and collective ownership in energy systems. We argue that while many policies aim to accelerate renewable energy deployment, they often prioritize large-scale, corporate-led projects over community-based initiatives, potentially undermining the development of energy commons.
Our findings reveal a complex interplay between policy incentives, market forces, and community interests. We identify key policy barriers to energy commoning, such as limited support for community-owned projects, complex permitting processes, challenges with grid connection, and insufficient mechanisms for meaningful public participation in energy planning. Conversely, we also highlight innovative policy approaches that have successfully fostered energy commons, including community benefit agreements, virtual net metering, and participatory siting processes.
By examining these policy dynamics in the context of LSS deployment, we contribute to broader discussions on the role of institutional frameworks in shaping common pool resource management. We conclude by proposing policy recommendations that could better support energy communing practices while still meeting broader renewable energy goals, emphasizing the need for more flexible, inclusive, and locally-responsive policy approaches in the ongoing energy transition.
