Out of the shade? Solar development challenges in Norway (SOLNOR)

SOLNOR will be a first to systematically investigate framework conditions for small- and large-scale solar in Norway, and a first Scandinavian comparison for this. While solar has been developing slowly in Norway, Denmark and Sweden are further ahead, although they all have likely barriers and different regulatory frameworks and licensing processes. The project aims to explain the links between drivers and barriers and the different levels of building-mounted and utility level PV in the three countries. By identifying the drivers and barriers to solar PV, SOLNOR will investigate how the potential of solar can be realised also through consideration of other legitimate factors concerning land-use, diverging interests, and nature protection. This will be informed by legal-, social science perspectives, and modelling. The findings will inform the analysis of comparisons with Denmark and Sweden to identify potential for improvements. We will do so by using modelling to identify socio-technical potential of solar, to analyse drivers and barriers of building mounted solar, to investigate legal frameworks and licensing procedures in Norway, as well as institutional barriers and challenges of large-scale solar power plants in a comparison of all three countries, and provide policy recommendations for institutional and regulatory improvements. This approach enables the research team to generate knowledge that is highly relevant for the user partners and beyond, as well as contributing to the research frontier on solar development and framework conditions and challenges. The combination of sound academic research, active involvement of strategic user partners, a timely and relevant project, and an interdisciplinary collaborative project will ensure significant impact.

SOLNOR will be a first to systematically investigate framework conditions for small- and large-scale solar in Norway, and a first Scandinavian comparison. While solar has been developing slowly in Norway, Denmark and Sweden are further ahead. SOLNOR aims to map and explain the development of small- and large-scale solar PV in Norway, including the drivers, barriers, and challenges and how this potential can be realised, informed by social science perspectives and modelling. This will be compared to Denmark and Sweden to identify potential for improvements. We will do so by using modelling to identify socio-technical potential of solar (WP1), to analyse drivers and barriers of building mounted solar (WP2), to investigate legal frameworks and licensing procedures in Norway (WP3), as well as institutional barriers and challenges of large-scale solar power plants in a comparison of all three countries (WP4) and provide policy recommendations (WP5). This enables the strong research team to generate knowledge that is highly relevant for the user partners and beyond, as well as contributing to the research frontier on solar development and framework conditions and challenges. The combination of sound academic research, active involvement of strategic user partners, a timely and relevant project, and an interdisciplinary collaborative project will ensure significant impact.