Journal
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
Volume 176, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105924
Keywords
Carbon reductions; Solar panels; Emission; Structural equation model
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The study found that adopting residential solar photovoltaic (PV) technology may not necessarily reduce emissions, and in some cases could lead to even higher emissions. To achieve carbon reduction goals in the residential sector, it will be necessary to eliminate conventional energy sources.
Reaching carbon neutrality would require the retirement of conventional power sources and substitution with renewable energy sources. Given that immediate substitution from conventional to renewable power sources is not feasible in the status quo, we investigate whether adding residential solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in addition to conventional power sources would reduce residential emissions. We use a large survey dataset of more than 300,000 observations and employ a structural equation model (SEM) to validate our findings. Interestingly, emissions increase by 1.75% if residential PV is adopted, and Japanese citizens with residential PV systems end up using 3.02% more electricity. We also find that pro-environmental consumers may also produce more emissions with PVs. As a result, reaching target carbon reductions in the residential sector would necessitate eliminating conventional energy sources. We address the policy implications for pathways to reduce residential emissions.
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