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Spatially-explicit models should consider real-world diffusion of renewable electricity: Solar PV example in Switzerland

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  • Thormeyer, Christoph
  • Sasse, Jan-Philipp
  • Trutnevyte, Evelina

Abstract

Spatially-explicit bottom-up energy models with detailed renewable energy representation are increasingly developed. In order to inform such models, we investigate spatial diffusion patterns of solar PV projects in 2′222 Swiss municipalities. Using a dataset of feed-in tariff and one-time subsidy recipients in 2016, we show that PV diffusion was spatially uneven throughout Switzerland in terms of four indicators: the number of PV projects per municipality, per 1′000 inhabitants, per unit of municipal electricity demand, and per unit of municipal land area. Urban-rural divide and exploitable solar PV potential are the key, but not the only predictors of the spatial heterogeneity in PV diffusion. The structure of the municipal economy, socio-demographic characteristics, regional spillover effects, and additional differences in local contexts, such as local policies, matter as well. Spatial diffusion patterns to some extent structurally differ across sub-national regions too, indicating that such empirical investigations are valuable in order to understand what can be generalized. We conclude with recommendations for developing and validating spatially-resolved energy models so that they capture realistic patterns of solar PV diffusion: gather, maintain and analyze spatial data on PV projects and develop robust modelling functions that do not only rely on PV potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Thormeyer, Christoph & Sasse, Jan-Philipp & Trutnevyte, Evelina, 2020. "Spatially-explicit models should consider real-world diffusion of renewable electricity: Solar PV example in Switzerland," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 363-374.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:145:y:2020:i:c:p:363-374
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.06.017
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sasse, Jan-Philipp & Trutnevyte, Evelina, 2019. "Distributional trade-offs between regionally equitable and cost-efficient allocation of renewable electricity generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    2. Rigo, Paula Donaduzzi & Lunardi, Gabriel Machado & Siluk, Julio Cezar Mairesse & Schneider, Paulo Schmidt & Nascimento, Felipe Moraes do & Thomasi, Virgínia & Funke, Edson, 2024. "How explain on-grid PV systems diffusion? Review and application in Brazil," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    3. Gupta, Ruchi & Pena-Bello, Alejandro & Streicher, Kai Nino & Roduner, Cattia & Farhat, Yamshid & Thöni, David & Patel, Martin Kumar & Parra, David, 2021. "Spatial analysis of distribution grid capacity and costs to enable massive deployment of PV, electric mobility and electric heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    4. Wen, Xin & Heinisch, Verena & Müller, Jonas & Sasse, Jan-Philipp & Trutnevyte, Evelina, 2023. "Comparison of statistical and optimization models for projecting future PV installations at a sub-national scale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    5. Collier, Samuel H.C. & House, Jo I. & Connor, Peter M. & Harris, Richard, 2023. "Distributed local energy: Assessing the determinants of domestic-scale solar photovoltaic uptake at the local level across England and Wales," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    6. Kristina Kilikevičienė & Jonas Matijošius & Artūras Kilikevičius & Mindaugas Jurevičius & Vytautas Makarskas & Jacek Caban & Andrzej Marczuk, 2019. "Research of the Energy Losses of Photovoltaic (PV) Modules after Hail Simulation Using a Newly-Created Testbed," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Heinisch, Verena & Dujardin, Jérôme & Gabrielli, Paolo & Jain, Pranjal & Lehning, Michael & Sansavini, Giovanni & Sasse, Jan-Philipp & Schaffner, Christian & Schwarz, Marius & Trutnevyte, Evelina, 2023. "Inter-comparison of spatial models for high shares of renewable electricity in Switzerland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    8. Müller, Jonas & Trutnevyte, Evelina, 2020. "Spatial projections of solar PV installations at subnational level: Accuracy testing of regression models," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    9. Tao, Linwei & Hayashi, Kiichiro & Shiraki, Hiroto & Huang, Xiaoxun & Dem, Phub, 2024. "Exploration of determinants underlying regional disparity in rooftop photovoltaic adoption: A case study in Nagoya, Japan," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).
    10. Anna Szeląg-Sikora & Jakub Sikora & Marcin Niemiec & Zofia Gródek-Szostak & Marcin Suder & Maciej Kuboń & Tomasz Borkowski & Gabriela Malik, 2021. "Solar Power: Stellar Profit or Astronomic Cost? A Case Study of Photovoltaic Installations under Poland’s National Prosumer Policy in 2016–2020," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    11. Lonergan, Katherine Emma & Sansavini, Giovanni, 2022. "Business structure of electricity distribution system operator and effect on solar photovoltaic uptake: An empirical case study for Switzerland," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    12. Walch, Alina & Rüdisüli, Martin, 2023. "Strategic PV expansion and its impact on regional electricity self-sufficiency: Case study of Switzerland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    13. Heleno, Miguel & Sehloff, David & Coelho, Antonio & Valenzuela, Alan, 2020. "Probabilistic impact of electricity tariffs on distribution grids considering adoption of solar and storage technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    14. Stewart, Fraser, 2022. "Friends with benefits: How income and peer diffusion combine to create an inequality “trap” in the uptake of low-carbon technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).

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