Justice in solar energy development

Journal article


Sumarno, B., Heffron, R., Halbrügge, S., Körner, M.-F, Obeng-Darko, N.A., Wagner, J. and Weibelzahl, M. 2021. Justice in solar energy development. Solar Energy. 218, pp. 68-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.01.072
AuthorsSumarno, B., Heffron, R., Halbrügge, S., Körner, M.-F, Obeng-Darko, N.A., Wagner, J. and Weibelzahl, M.
Abstract

To achieve national energy and climate targets across the world, there is a key focus on solar energy development. It is clear from literature that many countries have enormous, under-utilised potentials for solar energy, which can significantly change their energy mix and contribute to the low-carbon ambitions they signed up to under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Our research highlights that there are benefits to solar energy development from a law and economic perspective that are still underexplored. These benefits centre on justice and on how solar energy increases justice within the energy system. From a legal perspective, we review 72 countries and their introduction of energy law with respect to solar energy development. Our analysis illustrates that in some developing countries (new) legislation was not associated with a significant increase in the share of solar energy in the energy mix. We then highlight how to achieve solar energy development through law that can provide certainty for investment. Furthermore, we stress the importance of flexibility that allows the full potential of solar energy to be realised within the energy system. The corresponding form of flexibility justice, combining law and economics, can contribute to increased economic welfare based on market reforms that centre on new market design and market access, while ensuring that it keeps pace with ongoing developments in technology, cost, and ownership.

KeywordsSolar energy justice; Energy justice; Flexibility justice; Just transition; Electricity markets
Year2021
JournalSolar Energy
Journal citation218, pp. 68-75
PublisherElsevier
ISSN0038-092X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.01.072
Official URLhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0038092X21000980?via%3Dihub
Publication dates
Print30 Apr 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted27 Jan 2021
Deposited08 Apr 2024
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/97847/justice-in-solar-energy-development

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