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The Contribution of Energy Communities to the Upscaling of Photovoltaics in Germany and Italy

Author

Listed:
  • August Wierling

    (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)

  • Jan Pedro Zeiss

    (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)

  • Veronica Lupi

    (Bocconi University [Milan, Italy])

  • Chiara Candelise

    (Bocconi University [Milan, Italy], Imperial College London)

  • Alessandro Sciullo

    (UNITO - Università degli studi di Torino = University of Turin)

  • Valeria Jana Schwanitz

    (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)

Abstract

Energy communities (EC) are among the new actors in the energy market, playing an important role in the uptake of photovoltaics (PV) in European markets. This paper estimates their aggregate contribution to the low-carbon energy transition in terms of installed capacities for PV and evaluates their economic performance comparing with market prices. We compiled a database of PV facilities with 3672 entries for Germany and 64 entries for Italy. Our statistical analysis does not support an economic under-performance of EC. The aggregate contribution of EC currently amounts to 600–838 MWp installed capacity in Germany and 10.6 MWp installed capacity in Italy, which makes 1.2–1.7% and 0.07% of all PV installations in Germany and Italy, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • August Wierling & Jan Pedro Zeiss & Veronica Lupi & Chiara Candelise & Alessandro Sciullo & Valeria Jana Schwanitz, 2021. "The Contribution of Energy Communities to the Upscaling of Photovoltaics in Germany and Italy," Post-Print hal-05125364, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05125364
    DOI: 10.3390/en14082258
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://uca.hal.science/hal-05125364v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Strupeit, Lars & Neij, Lena, 2017. "Cost dynamics in the deployment of photovoltaics: Insights from the German market for building-sited systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 948-960.
    2. Candelise, Chiara & Winskel, Mark & Gross, Robert J.K., 2013. "The dynamics of solar PV costs and prices as a challenge for technology forecasting," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 96-107.
    3. August Wierling & Valeria Jana Schwanitz & Jan Pedro Zeiß & Celine Bout & Chiara Candelise & Winston Gilcrease & Jay Sterling Gregg, 2018. "Statistical Evidence on the Role of Energy Cooperatives for the Energy Transition in European Countries," Post-Print hal-05125451, HAL.
    4. Yildiz, Özgür, 2014. "Financing renewable energy infrastructures via financial citizen participation – The case of Germany," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 677-685.
    5. August Wierling & Valeria Jana Schwanitz & Jan Pedro Zeiß & Celine Bout & Chiara Candelise & Winston Gilcrease & Jay Sterling Gregg, 2018. "Statistical Evidence on the Role of Energy Cooperatives for the Energy Transition in European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-25, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lukas Mueller & Timothy Peter Marcroft & Constantin von Beck & Jan Pedro Zeiss & Valeria Jana Schwanitz & August Wierling & Lars Holstenkamp, 2024. "“First come, first served" or “the more, the merrier"? Organizational dynamics of citizen-led solar initiatives and the presence of photovoltaic installations in Germany," Post-Print hal-05123966, HAL.
    2. Michele Grimaldi & Alessandra Marra, 2025. "Optimizing the Spatial Configuration of Renewable Energy Communities: A Model Applied in the RECMOP Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-24, July.
    3. August Wierling & Jan Pedro Zeiss & Constantin von Beck & Valeria Jana Schwanitz, 2022. "Business models of energy cooperatives active in the PV sector—A statistical analysis for Germany," Post-Print hal-05125314, HAL.

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