ABSTRACT

Australia is a region with one of the highest solar energy adoption rates per capita in the world. This study investigated the spatial distribution and related socioeconomic factors behind residential solar energy adoption. Residential solar panel installation data were collected for the 2563 postal areas of Australia. Through spatial autocorrelation analysis, this study revealed spatial aggregation and identified hot and cold spots in terms of the installation rate (the proportion of households with solar panels). Areas with high installation rates were clustered in South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia, while areas with low installation rates were clustered in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania. Furthermore, this study selected eight out of 25 socioeconomic factors and found their influential mechanisms on the solar panel installation rate. Areas with high installation rates had some similar characteristics, such as a mid-level of population density and personal income, with a low housing density and a young age profile, while areas with low installation rates were diverse in their socioeconomic profile. Energy policy should address the regional differences and the related socioeconomic factors identified in this study to formulate more effective incentives to promote solar technologies.

摘要

澳大利亚是世界上人均太阳能采用率最高的地区之一。本研究调查了住宅太阳能采用背后的空间分布和相关社会经济因素。收集了澳大利亚 2563 个邮政区域的住宅太阳能电池板安装数据。通过空间自相关分析，本研究揭示了空间聚合，并根据安装率（拥有太阳能电池板的家庭比例）确定了热点和冷点。安装率高的地区集中在南澳大利亚、昆士兰和西澳大利亚，而安装率低的地区集中在北领地、新南威尔士、澳大利亚首都领地、维多利亚和塔斯马尼亚。此外，本研究从 25 个社会经济因素中选择了 8 个，并发现了它们对太阳能电池板安装率的影响机制。安装率高的地区具有一些相似的特征，例如人口密度和个人收入中等，住房密度低，年龄偏小，而安装率低的地区的社会经济状况各不相同。能源政策应解决本研究中确定的区域差异和相关社会经济因素，以制定更有效的激励措施来推广太阳能技术。而安装率低的地区的社会经济状况各不相同。能源政策应解决本研究中确定的区域差异和相关社会经济因素，以制定更有效的激励措施来推广太阳能技术。而安装率低的地区的社会经济状况各不相同。能源政策应解决本研究中确定的区域差异和相关社会经济因素，以制定更有效的激励措施来推广太阳能技术。