Energy justice, the built environment, and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy transitions in urban Australia: A dynamic panel data analysis

Abstract

This study contributes to an understanding of how the distribution of benefits and costs of energy production should occur. In doing so, this study draws attention to an uneasy tension between urban planning practice focused on urban consolidation and the promotion of solar photovoltaic panels in Australia’s capital cities. Specifically, this study investigates the impact of built environment and feed-in tariffs (FiTs) on the installation of solar rooftop photovoltaic (PV) in Australia’s capital cities. It uses a dynamic panel data model to analyse a unique dataset of solar PV panel installations at the postcode level for Australia’s capital cities over the period 2001–2015. The results of this study indicate that denser built environments can detract from solar PV panel installations in the short-run and in the long-run. These effects are distinct from the socioeconomic status of an area. Specifically, the results indicate that while increases in the density of the built environment detract from solar panel installations, these changes in the built environment appear to be more than offset by FiTs. The results point to the need to mitigate the risk of energy disadvantage entrenchment through urban consolidation policy.