Investigating the potential of solar energy for low-income communities in Australia to reduce hardship, debt and inequality

Abstract

Microgeneration offers potential for low-income households to access lower-priced electricity and alleviate energy poverty. This paper explores provision of small-scale photovoltaics (sPV) in community social housing, and how self-generated electricity is integrated into routines by sole parent low-income households – a cohort most vulnerable to rising electricity prices. Using a mixed methods approach, this exploratory study investigates the implications of distributed sPV for household electricity consumption, expenditure, and provision of sufficient energy services to achieve thermal comfort, improved health and wellbeing. Results are presented from an analysis of in-depth interviews with eight households in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, and real-time monitoring of selected households’ electricity usage. Drawing on the concepts of co-production and value co-creation, user experiences are discussed along with the potential for reducing energy hardship and debt. Analysis shows provision of sPV technology may not lead to desired changes in the way electricity is used to reduce electricity bills, due to competing values in use. This exemplary study revealed several key technical, social and systemic challenges for tenants and social housing providers, including: constraints on self-managing energy production and consumption, weaknesses in industry/institutional processes, low engagement with the wider electricity market, and need for tailored approach for tenants to achieve better functional outcomes.