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Equity and effectiveness of Australian small-scale solar schemes

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  • Best, Rohan
  • Chareunsy, Andrea
  • Li, Han

Abstract

Two major subsidy schemes for small-scale solar panels in Australia, namely feed-in tariffs (FiTs) and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), have substantial inequity implications. Higher household wealth is associated with larger subsidy receipts for both schemes. Using household-level data up to 2018, we find that the top wealth decile had higher subsidy receipts than any of the bottom seven wealth deciles in respect of both subsidy schemes. There is also evidence of inequality between lower-wealth deciles for feed-in tariffs but not the SRES. For effectiveness of the SRES, we show a positive relationship between the SRES subsidy factor and solar panel uptake, but no significant association with size decisions of solar adopters. In contrast, wealth is positively related with both uptake and size decisions of solar adopters. Equity of the SRES could be improved by targeting subsidies to low-wealth households, while efficiency could be enhanced by equalising subsidies across system sizes.

Suggested Citation

  • Best, Rohan & Chareunsy, Andrea & Li, Han, 2021. "Equity and effectiveness of Australian small-scale solar schemes," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:180:y:2021:i:c:s0921800920304705
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106890
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    5. Best, Rohan & Li, Han & Trück, Stefan & Truong, Chi, 2021. "Actual uptake of home batteries: The key roles of capital and policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    6. Burlinson, Andrew & Davillas, Apostolos & Giulietti, Monica, 2023. "Socioeconomic Inequality in Low-Carbon Technology Adoption," IZA Discussion Papers 16114, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Best, Rohan, 2023. "Equitable reverse auctions supporting household energy investments," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    8. Best, Rohan, 2022. "Energy inequity variation across contexts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    9. Best, Rohan & Hammerle, Mara & Mukhopadhaya, Pundarik & Silber, Jacques, 2021. "Targeting household energy assistance," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
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