New renewable energy projects are booming and will continue to do so as long as the business benefits, demand and economics pencil out. But, a lot of large, utility-scale solar projects are running into community roadblocks in spite of their presumed squeaky clean image. People living near these proposed projects worry about what they think they might lose – farm and ranch grazing and growing land, nice natural views, increased traffic, the glare of panels and lots of other potential and imagined fears.

Human nature causes us to focus on what we think will be personally negative, far more than considered the greater good. Altruism only goes so far, right? The solution means bringing people in the community inside of the siting and planning process early on. One group understands this.