Evaluation of the Program Subsidizing Prosumer Photovoltaic Sources in Poland

Abstract

This article attempts to evaluate the My Electricity program concerning increasing renewable energy production in photovoltaic (PV) prosumer sources (PV micro-installations) in Poland. The assessment is made from the perspective of beneficiaries, business, and local community. One may also find an answer to the question of how this program should be modified so that it continues to support the development of PV systems in Poland. Moreover, how Poles assess the PV technology, in terms of the safety of its users and its impact on the environment, is studied. For this purpose, there was exploratory, qualitative, and quantitative research conducted. Twelve case studies were used as well as online questionnaires conducted on prosumers who used the My Electricity program to install PV micro-installations (57 respondents). By means of interviews, there was a confrontation of their point of view with the opinions of seven skeptics of such installations. Moreover, five experts from the energy industry and politicians involved in the transformation of the energy system were interviewed in order to balance the enthusiastic opinions of prosumers and the skeptical views of objectors to home PV systems. The results of our research indicate that the program is rated very well by enthusiasts of PV systems, although they emphasize the high investment costs and the lack of solutions supporting energy storage. Experts point out that the power grid in Poland is not prepared for such an immediate increase in prosumer PV systems, and they suggest more care in solving this problem.