The environmental impact of household domestic energy consumption in rural areas: Empirical evidence from China's photovoltaic poverty alleviation regions

China's large-scale renewable energy program, Photovoltaic Poverty Alleviation Projects (PPAP), has been successful in fighting poverty. However, the energy transition, energy consumption and environmental impact of this program on the rural poor are not yet known. We analyzed the environmental impacts of poor residents' domestic energy consumption (DEC) using an Ecological Footprint (EF) model and a Hierarchical linear model (HLM) model. The results of the study show that: rural electrification is still an important way to improve the rural environment while respecting the survival and development of the residents; the energy and environmental perceptions of poor residents are crucial; PPAP currently does not have a sufficient impact on the ecological footprint. Furthering access to electricity in rural areas, raising environmental awareness among the poor, and focusing on household off-grid PV plants can help improve the performance of PPAP.(c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

China's Photovoltaic Poverty Alleviation Projects (PPAP) have successfully fought poverty, but the impact on the energy transition, energy consumption, and environment for the rural poor are still unknown. This study highlights the importance of rural electrification for improving the rural environment and respecting residents' survival and development. It also emphasizes the crucial role of energy and environmental perceptions among the poor. The current PPAP program needs to have a greater impact on reducing the ecological footprint, which can be achieved through further access to electricity in rural areas, raising environmental awareness among the poor, and focusing on household off-grid PV plants.