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Deutsch Madrid, June 2025Ā ā The articleĀ āIgniting University Communities: Building Strategies that Empower an Energy Transition through Solar Energy Communitiesā, authored by Ana BelĆ©n CristĆ³bal and published in the journalĀ Solar RRL, has been recognized as one of theĀ top 10% most-viewed papers in 2023, according to Wiley.
This distinction highlights the growing interest in the role of universities in advancingĀ solar energy communitiesĀ as engines of theĀ energy transition. The research was conducted at theĀ Universidad PolitĆ©cnica de Madrid (UPM)Ā and supported by the WileyāCRUEāCSIC agreement.
šĀ About the Article
The paper explores howĀ university campusesādue to their infrastructure, governance, and educational missionācan serve as ideal testbeds for citizen-led energy transitions. Through a strategic framework, it identifies the key enablers and barriers to implementingĀ Solar Energy Communities (SECs)Ā in academic institutions. It also outlines theĀ social innovation potentialĀ of involving students, staff, and surrounding neighborhoods in collective energy action.
The research proposes a replicable model for universities aiming toĀ activate local participation, leverageĀ distributed solar generation, and contribute to climate neutrality goals.
šĀ Read the article here:
šĀ Recognition from Solar RRL:
The paper’s visibility and impact have earned it aĀ Top Viewed ArticleĀ badge by Wiley, signifying its relevance within the solar research and sustainability community.
āThis recognition is not just a personal milestone, but also a sign of the relevance of universities in shaping citizen-driven energy futuresāĀ
says Ana BelĆ©n CristĆ³bal.
š Related Initiatives
This research aligns with ongoing efforts by theĀ Instituto de EnergĆa Solar at UPMĀ and broader European frameworks likeĀ Energy Communities under the EU Green Deal, reinforcing the universityās leadership in energy innovation and social engagement.
