The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) is investigating the role of women in community wind and solar in Germany.
WWEA is undertaking the study in conjunction with the Association for Renewable Energy of the German State North Rhine-Westphalia-Landesverband Erneuerbare Energien NRW (LEE NRW).
Studies to date indicate that women are particularly active in the environmental and climate movement, but tend to be underrepresented in community renewables.
Initial findings will be published and discussed during two community energy conferences, in spring 2021 and 2022.
WWEA secretary general Stefan Gsanger said: “The energy transformation has always developed its dynamism from the bottom up – committed citizens got the energy transition rolling in the first place.
“Analysing the gender distribution in the area of community energy is therefore an important component in order to better understand and reinforce this dynamic.
“In addition, we have reached a point in the energy transformation where we have to involve all actors in society in order to be successful in the long term.”
The core of the study will be personal interviews with experts in community energy. When selecting the projects, different locations and types of community participation will be taken into account to enable conclusions to be drawn about the nationwide situation.
LEE NRW advisor Madeline Bode said: “Community energy is a key element of a successful energy transformation.
“Numerous community energy projects in North Rhine-Westphalia show already today how a sustainable energy supply based on renewable energies can succeed in a participatory manner. In this joint task there should be no gender-based differences.
“This study will show how far we have come in this area and what steps we can take to really get all citizens excited about active engagement.”