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Communicating the Values and Benefits of Home Solar Prosumerism

Author

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  • Daniel Wuebben

    (Ciberimaginario Group, Department of Communication and Sociology, University Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Madrid, Spain)

  • Jens F. Peters

    (Department of Economics, Universidad de Alcalá, 28802 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Clearly and accurately communicating the economic, environmental, and social benefits of solar PV prosumerism poses significant challenges. Previous research shows that government policies and public engagement campaigns can positively impact solar prosumerism; however, little is known about the quality and accuracy of information exchanged between rooftop solar installers and potential prosumers. This study addresses part of this gap with a mixed methods approach. First, a multimodal discourse analysis of installation proposals from seven home solar installers in Madrid shows accurate and reasonable financial benefits alongside incongruent social and environmental benefits. Second, the calculated efficiency of the seven proposed solar installations is compared with the efficiency of four different PVSC solar arrays using actual load and generation profiles. The results show that (i) the high variability of actual household demand on the minute-by- minute level significantly decreases self-consumption rate and profitability in comparison with the rates estimated using hourly or monthly, and (ii) the grouping of households into solar communities should significantly increase self-consumption and profitability. Therefore, using minute by minute time series in home solar estimations would reveal an added value and social benefit that is commonly overlooked. We conclude with recommendations for future research and multimodal communication campaigns that balance benefits of individual prosumerism and community solar.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Wuebben & Jens F. Peters, 2022. "Communicating the Values and Benefits of Home Solar Prosumerism," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:2:p:596-:d:725008
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Girard, A. & Gago, E.J. & Ordoñez, J. & Muneer, T., 2016. "Spain's energy outlook: A review of PV potential and energy export," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 703-715.
    2. Yael Parag & Benjamin K. Sovacool, 2016. "Electricity market design for the prosumer era," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(4), pages 1-6, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Beata Bieszk-Stolorz, 2022. "Impact of Subsidy Programmes on the Development of the Number and Output of RES Micro-Installations in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Fernando Echevarría Camarero & Ana Ogando-Martínez & Pablo Durán Gómez & Pablo Carrasco Ortega, 2022. "Profitability of Batteries in Photovoltaic Systems for Small Industrial Consumers in Spain under Current Regulatory Framework and Energy Prices," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Mirosława Szewczyk & Anna Szeliga-Duchnowska, 2022. "Make Hay While the Sun Shines: Beneficiaries of Renewable Energy Promotion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Agnieszka Izabela Baruk & Mateusz Grzesiak, 2022. "Benefits Achieved by Energy Suppliers through Cooperation with Individual Recipients and Their Readiness for This Cooperation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-16, May.

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