Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Deployment

Summary: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technologies present significant financial and environmental benefits for residents and communities, however, there continue to be disparities in the adoption of PV technologies. This research will seek to understand the role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in the implementation of PV technologies in order to determine how CBOs could improve access to solar technologies within communities. Since previous research suggests that policy alone does not address discrepancies in solar adoption, additional support is required to improve equitable access to PV technologies. CBOs could provide necessary support for residents and communities by liaising between communities and government, industry, and grant-making foundations in order to facilitate the implementation of solar technologies. Identifying and assessing the role of CBOs in the process of PV implementation could provide insight into how disparities related to PV diffusion might be addressed in Canada.