An analysis of utility-scale solar corruption in California

The global solar power industry generated hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue in 2024. Like many human-driven endeavors—especially in mission-oriented sectors—the gap between idealism and execution can invite ethical lapses. The solar industry has been no exception, with billion-dollar thefts and recent indictments drawing increased scrutiny.

Now, researchers based in Boston and Finland have published the study Sex for solar? Examining patterns of public and private sector corruption within the booming California solar energy market. The study looks at utility-scale solar development in eastern Riverside County, specifically between Desert Center and Blythe, from 2010 through 2024. While 4.25 GW of capacity was deployed across 13 projects during this period, the research focuses primarily on one solar power facility.

However, the paper included a disclaimer that said, “The publisher and the authors are providing the contents of the study on an ‘as is’ basis and make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the veracity of the statements made.”

The seven types of corruption highlighted are defined as:

Clientelism and favoritism: hiring only friends or colleagues, or allocating contracts, permits, or licenses inefficiently or unfairly—at times in exchange for sex;
Rent-seeking and land grabbing: diverting or capturing public spending, or dispossessing communities of communal or public land;
Service diversion: avoiding the distribution of local benefits;
Theft: coercively removing equipment, property, or cultural artifacts;
Greenwashing: producing flawed impact assessments, overriding environmental objectives or misleading the public about a project’s benefits;
Tax evasion and avoidance: nonpayment, underpayment, or strategic evasion of local taxes; and
Non-transparency: concealing or failing to disclose critical information.

The researchers’ conclusions are based on interviews with 29 individuals across 38 sessions, four focus groups, participant observation, and extensive document analysis — including government records and court findings.

The report cited an alleged example of clientelism and favoritism in direct exchange for sex during the development of the 250 MW Genesis Solar Energy Center. The authors cite an incident involving a senior counselor to the interior secretary who was recused from oversight of renewable energy projects after it was revealed he was engaged in a romantic relationship with a corporate lobbyist representing the developer. According to the authors, that relationship resulted in regulatory leniency, including the bypassing of archaeological surveys and a lack of enforcement around eagle deaths. The official ultimately resigned.

However, a further review of the investigation’s documents cited in the study found that the allegations were unfounded, which the study did not disclose.

According to its investigative report, the Office of Inspector General did not find evidence that the woman lobbied DOI employees, that Black violated any regulations on seeking employment or in the other corruption cases alleged in the study.

“None of the Federal employees we interviewed who were involved in permitting, however, reported any evidence of Black giving preferential treatment to the company,” the report said. “In addition, none said they felt pressured to make decisions that specifically benefited the company, and permitting decisions appear to have been assigned to regional personnel, not to [the senior counselor’s] office.”

Not only did the Inspector General find no evidence of the senior counselor giving preferential treatment or a relationship resulting in regulatory leniency, the Inspector General report said, “we were told the actual decisions related to the project were made by regional personnel, and none said they saw any improper behavior by [the senior counselor].

According to the authors, the same official maintained additional friendships with other lobbyists tied to the project and allegedly accepted items of value from the developer after formally recusing himself from oversight.

This initial breakdown in oversight of environmental and cultural protections opened the door for other forms of corruption to follow. The authors argue that theft occurred next—specifically, the removal or destruction of culturally significant items belonging to Native tribes in the region.

The paper said, “the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Genesis confirmed that 99 archaeological sites had been identified within the project site.” One interviewee claimed that “a lot of artifacts” were removed, including “pottery and mammoth skulls.” Another said that the Genesis project was built atop burial lands and that excavation work uncovered “several old remains.”

However, the authors provide a citation to an unrelated solar project, not the environmental impact report that allegedly confirmed the 99 archaeological sites. Upon further investigation, the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Genesis made no such finding.

Additional patterns of alleged corruption were also reported by the study’s authors in connection with the project. Nearby communities reported inadequate compensation for transmission infrastructure routed through their land. Local residents and businesses stated that promised job opportunities largely went to larger firms based outside the area. Others criticized tax arrangements that diverted revenue toward the county rather than the affected local municipalities.

This article was updated 5/16/20 to include information found upon a further investigation of the incidents cited in the study.

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