Influence of Photovoltaic Development on Decarbonization of Power Generation—Example of Poland

Abstract

Climate change is becoming a global problem. In many countries, actions are taken with the main aim of reducing CO2 emissions. The main action, especially in developed countries, is decarbonization. The European Union has become one of the organizations that plays a leading role in decarbonization of the economy. For this reason, renewable energy sources are being intensively developed in the EU countries. Solar energy with the use of PV installations is developing the fastest. Poland is one of the European leaders in photovoltaic development, and according to estimates for 2021–2025, it will continue to be. The aim of this study was to find out the opinions of people toward actions related to the decarbonization policy in Poland. These opinions were obtained through the prism of respondents’ attitudes toward energy produced by means of PV micro-installations. A questionnaire survey was used in this research. The survey was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) technique. To analyze the results of the study, a Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test and U–Mann Whitney test were used. Responses were obtained from 633 people. The results obtained from the survey allowed us to draw conclusions, which include the following: (1) a lack of general conviction of respondents about the effectiveness of Poland’s decarbonization policy on reducing global CO2 emissions, especially among those who show a higher willingness to use PV installations, (2) the willingness to use PV installations is motivated by economic rather than environmental benefits, (3) the need for more widespread public campaigns aimed at promoting the benefits of decarbonization and renewable energy sources, and (4) the finding that the respondents’ region of residence (with a different degree of insolation) mattered for the willingness to use PV installations.

Energy Security as a Premise for Mergers and Acquisitions on the Example of the Multi-Energy Concern PKN Orlen in the Face of the Challenges of the 2020s

“…In particular, it concerns replacing coalfired furnaces with gas-fired ones, replacing window frames or thermo-modernisation of the whole building. This direction also has additional economic justification [69]. For several years, a trend of increasing prices of carbon credits has been noticeable.…”

Assumptions of the Energy Policy of the Country versus Investment Outlays Related to the Purchase of Alternative Fuels: Poland as a Case Study

“…This means there is a necessity to make significant investments and, thus, ensure the sources of the required financing [19]. Especially in the case of economies where the majority of energy is obtained from coal, broad energy sector transformation [20,21] will be necessary, followed by capital flow, financial support policy, and legal regulation [22,23].…”

Multi-Energy Concern as an Example of the Implementation of Agenda 2030: Poland as a Case Study

“…It is worth emphasizing that for many years, the level of energy demand has been increasing, which should encourage the representatives of the authorities to provide an appropriate system for diversifying electricity sources. Preferably, it should be supplied from as many sources as possible and preferably be renewable, thus ensuring adequate flexibility to meet the collective needs of the state [4][5][6].…”