Sutherland, Portia2025-02-282025-02-282024https://hdl.handle.net/10182/18163Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ) has experienced a proliferation in the number of proposed and consented solar farms in rural areas across the country, positioning grid-connected solar electricity generation as a core component in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. In combination with enabling market and socio-political conditions, community acceptance is a critical component for the successful implementation of solar farm developments (Pascaris et al., 2021). International research and literature show that acceptance of solar farms is influenced by numerous factors and varies between different communities and groups of people; however, attitudes and perceptions towards solar farms in ANZ and how these vary by different factors is unknown. Therefore, this research aims to provide a comprehensive picture of community attitudes and perceptions towards solar farms using Canterbury as a case study area and identify opportunities and challenges for establishing social licence to operate for solar farms in ANZ. A quantitative survey questionnaire was developed and shared with groups across Canterbury with a particular focus on rural communities. Of the 447 participants that completed the survey questionnaire, the majority were positive towards solar farms at national, regional and local levels, with 61 percent of respondents expressing ‘positive’ or ‘very positive’ attitudes towards solar farms in their local community. Attitudes varied by participants’ level of knowledge, local land use and district of residence. Socioeconomic and environmental mitigation measures, mixed land use approaches and site selection were identified as factors that may influence acceptance, and the importance of public involvement in the planning process for solar farms was revealed. Overall, the findings from this research highlight the importance of understanding variations in community perceptions and early community engagement and public involvement for effective strategic planning of solar farms, which have several implications for policy and planning in ANZ.ensolar farmssolar energycommunity perceptionssocial licence to operatepublic participationresource managementmixed land useAotearoa New ZealandCanterburyland use planningenergy productionDissertationANZSRC::400808 Photovoltaic power systemsANZSRC::330404 Land use and environmental planning