RP2016: Assessing the Impact of Solar PV, Electricity Prices and Dwelling Energy Efficiency on Domestic Electricity Consumption in Sydney

Low Carbon Living CRC logo

This project will examine changes in electricity use by Sydney households since 2008 which have installed solar PV technology compared to those who have not (controlling for socio-economic context and key government and utility policy settings; eg. pricing and feed-in tariffs and dwelling energy efficiency) in order to identify whether conservation or rebound (Jevons) effects are associated with solar PV take-up. 

Findings from this research can help determine whether a conservation or a rebound effect needs to be factored into projected energy/carbon savings from a range of renewable energy generation/carbon mitigation interventions; as well as forecasts of future electricity demand. There are policy implications at federal (eg. RET, NEM) and state government/energy utility levels (eg. feed-in tariffs, pricing).
Program

Program 2: Low Carbon Precincts

Project leader

Prof Peter Newton, Swinburne

Project status

Complete

Project period

06/2014 to 06/2015

Peer Reviewed Research Publications

RP2016: Journal Article: Assessing the impact of solar PV on domestic electricity consumption: Exploring the prospect of rebound effects

This study examines patterns of electricity use by households in Sydney who have installed solar photovoltaic (PV) technology compared to those who have not in order to assess the impact of government solar incentive schemes, and to identify whether conservation or rebound (increased consumption) effects are associated with rooftop PV.

Access the article. 

CRCLCL Project Reports

RP2016: Report: Assessing the Impact of Solar PV on Domestic Electricity Consumption in Sydney

This study examines patterns of electricity use by Sydney households who have installed solar PV technology compared to those who have not in order to identify whether conservation or rebound effects are associated with domestic photovoltaics.

rp2016 assessing impact of solar pv (1175825 PDF)

Research Snapshot Poster - RP2016

Research Snapshot A3 size poster from Participants Annual Forum 2014

Research Snapshot Poster - RP2016 (245013 PDF)