Behind California’s glittering solar success lies a troubling undercurrent of corruption—from favoritism and displacement to an actual “sex for solar” scandal. A new study unveils the dark side of clean energy’s brightest promise.
Key Points at a Glance
- Boston University study identifies seven forms of corruption in California’s solar industry
- Scandals include favoritism, displacement of Indigenous communities, and even sex-for-permits schemes
- Researchers call for sweeping reforms and transparency to salvage a just energy transition
- Corruption found at all levels—from small vendors to federal officials
In the heart of America’s clean energy revolution, California’s solar market is casting long shadows. A new academic exposé reveals that the state’s solar gold rush has been tainted by systemic corruption—so deeply entrenched that even federal authorities and powerful corporations are implicated. The findings, detailed in the study “Sex for Solar?” by Boston University’s Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS), expose not just isolated incidents, but a pattern of misconduct threatening the integrity of the green transition.
With California producing a staggering 79,544 gigawatt hours of solar energy in 2024—enough to power 7.4 million homes—this boom has made it a national leader in renewables. But researchers Benjamin Sovacool and Alexander Dunlap argue that this growth has come with a heavy cost. Their study identifies seven distinct forms of corruption infecting the system. These include not only regulatory favoritism and data falsification but also jaw-dropping cases like a romantic relationship between a Department of the Interior official and a solar lobbyist allegedly used to manipulate approvals.
These aren’t just victimless paper crimes. The research highlights real-world consequences: communities displaced, environmental assessments manipulated, and financial regulations flouted. The findings stem from meticulous fieldwork in California’s Riverside County, where investigators conducted interviews everywhere from solar sites to supermarket parking lots. Locals shared how solar projects altered their lives—and not always for the better.
What’s most disturbing is the pervasiveness of these corrupt practices. The study captures voices from all corners of the industry: construction workers, community members, government staff, and NGO observers. A consistent theme emerged—corruption is embedded at every level, from grassroots deployments to federal planning boards. Even in a state lauded for its progressive environmental policies, the system is being gamed.
To counteract these forces, the authors propose sweeping reforms. Their recommendations include a comprehensive mapping of corruption risks, publicly accessible subsidy registers, robust transparency protocols for environmental data, and community-driven ownership models. Crucially, they call for vigorous enforcement of anti-corruption laws to prevent the California model from becoming a cautionary tale for the rest of the nation.
This exposé not only challenges the halo surrounding renewable energy but also calls into question how the U.S. can achieve a just energy transition if these foundational issues remain unaddressed. Clean energy must not just be green—it must be fair, transparent, and accountable.
Source: Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability
Enjoying our articles?
We don’t show ads — so you can focus entirely on the story, without pop-ups or distractions. We don’t do sponsored content either, because we want to stay objective and only write about what truly fascinates us. If you’d like to help us keep going — buy us a coffee. It’s a small gesture that means a lot. Click here – Thank You!
