Study exposes corruption in California’s local solar PV market

A 2025 study has examined corruption in California’s PV market involving interactions between local officials and private developers. The study has used interviews and documentary analysis to identify bribery, favoritism, permit manipulation, and sexual exploitation, including incidents termed “sex for solar.” These practices were enabled by limited oversight and opaque permitting systems present in local governance across multiple jurisdictions. Researchers have stated that unethical conduct was not always illegal but has become normalized within solar project approvals. Patterns identified in the study included abuse of discretionary powers, preferential treatment of contractors, and undocumented financial arrangements. According to the study, such practices have undermined equal access to solar incentives and disrupted California’s clean energy transition goals. The study has recommended structural reforms including transparency mechanisms, institutional checks, and community oversight to restore accountability in solar PV deployment.