The effect of residential solar on energy insecurity among low- to moderate-income households

Yozwiak, Madeline; Barbose, Galen; Carley, Sanya; Forrester, Sydney P.; Konisky, David M.; Memmott, Trevor; Montañés, Cristina Crespo; O’Shaughnessy, Eric

doi:10.1038/s41560-025-01730-y

The effect of residential solar on energy insecurity among low- to moderate-income households

Journal Article · Wed Mar 05 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Nature Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-025-01730-y· OSTI ID:2530329

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Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (United States)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (United States)

Each year, millions of Americans experience energy insecurity, or the inability to afford enough energy to meet their basic needs. Here, this study evaluates whether residential rooftop solar can serve as a preventative solution to energy insecurity among low- to moderate-income households. Using a national, matched sample of solar and non-solar households based on detailed and address-specific data, we find that solar leads to large, robust and salient reductions in five indicators of energy insecurity. Moreover, the benefits of solar ‘spill over’ to improve a household’s ability to pay other energy bills. The results suggest that rooftop solar may be an effective tool for policymakers who seek to reduce energy insecurity.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 2530329

Journal Information:: Nature Energy, Journal Name: Nature Energy Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 10; ISSN 2058-7546

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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