A growing number of cities are choosing to transition to 100 percent clean electricity – and dozens have already hit that target – while the list of states committed to a 100% renewable energy future also continues to grow.

This local and state demand has contributed to a near doubling of renewable energy generation in the decade since 2008, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Much of the cost-effective renewable energy is coming from large, utility-scale wind, solar, and hydropower operations. Small-scale solar installations are also part of the solution and can provide local economic development, job creation, and clean air benefits.

Research by the Luskin Center for Innovation (LCI) has influenced the design and implementation of distributed energy policy and investments in leading cities and states, like California. We focus on helping to bring renewable energy to all types of communities, including low-income areas disproportionately impacted by pollution from fossil-fuel powered energy and transportation. (See our Transportation Program page for research on transportation electrification.) Our renewable energy-focused research includes the following projects.