California As a Case Study. We use California as a case study for assessing the land-use properties of USSE. California is interesting not only because it has been a leader in adoption of renewable energy systems and adaptation strategies,21 but also for its increasing population, unique constraints on land availability, immense energy demand,22 and vulnerability to climate change.23,24 California has been at the vanguard of global USSE deployment since the early 1980s and a center of focus over solar energy-related land use decisions.3,25 For example, California: