Should We Put Solar Panels in Rural Landscapes? Discrete Choice Modeling Reveals Preferences for Local Biodiversity and Community Benefits

ABSTRACT Landscapes provide a range of ecosystem services including food production, biodiversity conservation and recreational value. Increasingly, landscapes are also used to generate energy. While this is essential for achieving climate mitigation targets, it affects biodiversity and the appearance of rural landscapes, potentially leading to public opposition. Previous research has addressed public opposition against wind turbines and regulatory solutions. However, despite holding the potential for similar conflicts, the ongoing large‐scale expansion of ground‐mounted photovoltaic (PV) installations has so far received less attention. We conduct a choice experiment in Germany to identify preferences regarding the expansion of ground‐mounted PV and its regulation. Three findings stand out: (1) A large majority of respondents support a regulated expansion. (2) There is no significant support for spatial planning regulation in terms of maximum size and density of PV installations, or minimum distance of PV installations from settlements. In contrast, respondents support the provision of local benefits. These include biodiversity benefits, an enhanced appearance of the landscape through flower strips and hedgerows, but also financial benefits like support for renewable energy communities, farmers in low‐yield areas, and the provision of local public goods such as kindergartens. (3) The policies advocated by different parties often do not match the preferences of respondents who identify with general political orientations typically associated with these parties. This may be a sign that currently, public preferences for ground‐mounted PV installations are still poorly understood. Policy makers must act quickly and ensure local benefits to prevent opposition.