Influence of Photovoltaic Development on Decarbonization of Power Generation—Example of Poland

Grzegorz Lew,Grzegorz Zimon,Beata Sadowska,Magdalena Wójcik-Jurkiewicz,Katarzyna Chudy-Laskowska

doi:10.3390/en14227819

Abstract

Climate change is becoming a global problem. In many countries, actions are taken with the main aim of reducing CO2 emissions. The main action, especially in developed countries, is decarbonization. The European Union has become one of the organizations that plays a leading role in decarbonization of the economy. For this reason, renewable energy sources are being intensively developed in the EU countries. Solar energy with the use of PV installations is developing the fastest. Poland is one of the European leaders in photovoltaic development, and according to estimates for 2021–2025, it will continue to be. The aim of this study was to find out the opinions of people toward actions related to the decarbonization policy in Poland. These opinions were obtained through the prism of respondents’ attitudes toward energy produced by means of PV micro-installations. A questionnaire survey was used in this research. The survey was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) technique. To analyze the results of the study, a Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test and U–Mann Whitney test were used. Responses were obtained from 633 people. The results obtained from the survey allowed us to draw conclusions, which include the following: (1) a lack of general conviction of respondents about the effectiveness of Poland’s decarbonization policy on reducing global CO2 emissions, especially among those who show a higher willingness to use PV installations, (2) the willingness to use PV installations is motivated by economic rather than environmental benefits, (3) the need for more widespread public campaigns aimed at promoting the benefits of decarbonization and renewable energy sources, and (4) the finding that the respondents’ region of residence (with a different degree of insolation) mattered for the willingness to use PV installations.

Highlights

IntroductionAs a result of globalization processes and socio-economic development, activities to improve living conditions are increasing in many countries around the world
For Poland, the decarbonization process is a unique challenge, as more than 80% of electricity is produced from coal or lignite (Figure 2)
The analysis shows that the Polish photovoltaic sector will develop at an average annual growth rate of 31% until 2025, which will give it third place in the world

Summary

Introduction

As a result of globalization processes and socio-economic development, activities to improve living conditions are increasing in many countries around the world. These activities are important factors that increase the demand for electricity globally [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. In Poland, coal is still the main source of electricity production For this reason, the main objective of the decarbonization process is to reduce both the use and extraction of coal. For Poland, the decarbonization process is a unique challenge, as more than 80% of electricity is produced from coal or lignite (Figure 2)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion