Call for Papers for Symposium on Ground-Mounted Solar PV and Planning for Renewable Energy September 16/17th 2026

CFP: Ground-Mounted Solar PV and Planning for Renewable Energy

Symposium Date: Wednesday, 16th September 2026
Writing Workshop: Thursday, 17th September 2026
Location: University of Aberdeen, Scotland

We invite paper proposals for an academic symposium examining the planning, policy, and socio-spatial dimensions of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic development and broader renewable energy infrastructure. This event is organised under the aegis of the ESRC-funded project 'Solar Power in the UK – Planning for a Sustainable Future', based at the School of Social Science, University of Aberdeen.

The symposium will bring together researchers working on renewable energy transitions, with a particular focus on the planning challenges and opportunities presented by ground-mounted solar installations. Following the symposium, participants will have the opportunity to join a collaborative writing workshop on 17th September, aimed at developing contributions for a Special Issue in a leading academic journal.

We welcome contributions from researchers and academics at UK higher education and research institutions, and independent researchers from all career stages whose work provides comparative perspectives on renewable energy planning.

Themes and Topics

We welcome proposals that address (but are not limited to) the following themes:

• Planning policy and regulatory frameworks for ground-mounted solar PV
• Community engagement and local responses to renewable energy development
• Land use conflicts and spatial planning considerations
• Environmental and landscape impacts of solar infrastructure
• Energy justice and equitable distribution of renewable energy benefits
• Comparative perspectives on renewable energy planning across different regions
• The role of ground-mounted solar in achieving net-zero targets
• Innovation in solar technology and its planning implications
• Exploring new methods in renewable energy and planning research
• ??

We particularly encourage applications from PhD students and early-career academics who are developing research in this field.

Financial Support

Limited funding is available to support travel and accommodation costs for UK-based attendees. If you require financial assistance to participate in the symposium, please indicate this in your submission and provide an estimated breakdown of costs.

Submission Requirements

Please submit the following materials by March 1^st 2026

1. Paper title
2. Abstract (200-300 words) outlining your research question, methodology, and key findings or arguments
3. Brief biographical statement (100-150 words) including your current role and institutional affiliation (or independent researcher status)

Submissions should be sent to:  david.toke@abdn.ac.uk

This symposium is supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the project 'Solar Power in the UK – Planning for a Sustainable Future'.