Date of Award
12-14-2022
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Geosciences
First Advisor
Taylor Shelton
Second Advisor
Katherine Hankins
Third Advisor
Richard Milligan
Abstract
This study examines the uneven geographies of residential rooftop solar energy adoption across the City of Atlanta. Rooftop solar has the potential to reduce the racial wealth gap, advance economic independence for low-income households, and decrease utility bills. However, research in cities nationwide has consistently shown a marked discrepancy in rooftop solar adoption between white and minority neighborhoods. In Atlanta, analysis of solar permit applications and demographic data shows that 64% of solar installation permits are in majority-white census tracts, though the majority of permits have been located in majority-Black neighborhoods over the last two years. While rapidly increasing adoption rates might indicate decreased racial disparities in Atlanta’s energy market, indicators show that these permits are mostly located in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods, confirming that access to solar power remains elusive for many of the communities who could benefit most from its potential.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/32472596
Recommended Citation
Behnke, Carys, "Blocking Out the Sun: Restricting Rooftop Solar in Atlanta, Georgia." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2022.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/32472596
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