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Building Energy Commons: Three Mini-PV Installation Cases in Apartment Complexes in Seoul

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  • Seihun Yang

    (Department of Social Economy, Hansei University, Gunpo 15852, Korea)

  • Weiming Chen

    (Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA)

  • Hana Kim

    (School of Humanities & Social Science, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea)

Abstract

Solar photovoltaics (PV) deployment is not easy in dense urban areas because there is little space for the installation. Furthermore, tenants have few incentives to install PV panels because they frequently relocate, and most PV facilities are nonremovable. To address these factors, this study reports on an innovative model that collectively installed 260 W of mini-PV on the balconies of almost all the households in two high-rise apartment complexes in Seoul, South Korea. This project was unique in that it established energy commons in a community using private space. This study found that economic and social factors significantly influenced community-internal or micro factors, which in turn affected the success of the community energy project. Economic factors such as the expected economic benefit and residents paying no direct installation costs shaped the initial conditions for the commencement of the project. Leadership played a key role by speeding up the process, relieving residents’ concerns and distrust. This study introduced an innovative community energy model that can be referenced by megacities and communities. It provides opportunities for enhancing awareness of energy transition via on-site energy production using renewable energy and allows even communities that have insufficient common space to build energy commons.

Suggested Citation

  • Seihun Yang & Weiming Chen & Hana Kim, 2021. "Building Energy Commons: Three Mini-PV Installation Cases in Apartment Complexes in Seoul," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:1:p:249-:d:475063
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Lode, M.L. & te Boveldt, G. & Coosemans, T. & Ramirez Camargo, L., 2022. "A transition perspective on Energy Communities: A systematic literature review and research agenda," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    6. Tomasz L. Nawrocki & Danuta Szwajca, 2021. "A Multidimensional Comparative Analysis of Involvement in CSR Activities of Energy Companies in the Context of Sustainable Development Challenges: Evidence from Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, July.

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