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Influence of demographic variables on uptake of domestic solar photovoltaic technology

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  • Sommerfeld, Jeff
  • Buys, Laurie
  • Mengersen, Kerrie
  • Vine, Desley

Abstract

In Australia during the past decade there has been a significant transformation of the electricity demand and supply sector. In five years from 2008 to 2013 the number of Australians installing solar photovoltaic (PV) technology grew from 8000 to more than one million. Governments in Australia used a range of policy incentives such as feed-in tariffs (FiTs) to encourage the uptake of solar PV and this had a range of consequences. Solar PV technology has transformed the residential consumer electricity market providing some consumers with greater choice in demand and supply of their power. This study contributes to the growing understanding of the role that demographic factors play in household uptake of solar PV technology. Based on a review of relevant literature and a multi-phased statistical analysis of more than 2 million people in south-east Queensland over five years, the paper highlights the complex interplay between socio-economics and household uptake. The paper identifies key demographic variables and quantifies their relative influence, and provides new insights into the role of age in solar PV uptake. This more nuanced explanation of the socio-economic variables influencing solar PV uptake offers an opportunity to more effectively and efficiently shape future policies and incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Sommerfeld, Jeff & Buys, Laurie & Mengersen, Kerrie & Vine, Desley, 2017. "Influence of demographic variables on uptake of domestic solar photovoltaic technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 315-323.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:67:y:2017:i:c:p:315-323
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    6. Best, Rohan & Burke, Paul J. & Nishitateno, Shuhei, 2019. "Evaluating the effectiveness of Australia's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme for rooftop solar," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
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    8. Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Yildirim, Julide & Connor, Peter M. & Truckell, Ian & Hart, Phil, 2021. "Energy transition at local level: Analyzing the role of peer effects and socio-economic factors on UK solar photovoltaic deployment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(PB).
    9. Best, Rohan & Trück, Stefan, 2020. "Capital and policy impacts on Australian small-scale solar installations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    10. Bondio, Steven & Shahnazari, Mahdi & McHugh, Adam, 2018. "The technology of the middle class: Understanding the fulfilment of adoption intentions in Queensland's rapid uptake residential solar photovoltaics market," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 642-651.
    11. Sun, Bixuan & Sankar, Ashwini, 2022. "The changing effectiveness of financial incentives: Theory and evidence from residential solar rebate programs in California," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    12. Lukanov, Boris R. & Krieger, Elena M., 2019. "Distributed solar and environmental justice: Exploring the demographic and socio-economic trends of residential PV adoption in California," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    13. Say, Kelvin & John, Michele & Dargaville, Roger, 2019. "Power to the people: Evolutionary market pressures from residential PV battery investments in Australia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    14. Bashiri, Ali & Alizadeh, Sasan H., 2018. "The analysis of demographics, environmental and knowledge factors affecting prospective residential PV system adoption: A study in Tehran," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3131-3139.
    15. Lan, Haifeng & Gou, Zhonghua & Lu, Yi, 2021. "Machine learning approach to understand regional disparity of residential solar adoption in Australia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    16. Zhang, Yanquan & Chang, Ruidong & Zuo, Jian & Shabunko, Veronika & Zheng, Xian, 2023. "Regional disparity of residential solar panel diffusion in Australia: The roles of socio-economic factors," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 808-819.
    17. Zander, Kerstin K., 2020. "Unrealised opportunities for residential solar panels in Australia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    18. Best, Rohan & Chareunsy, Andrea & Li, Han, 2021. "Equity and effectiveness of Australian small-scale solar schemes," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).

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