Shifting practices: How the rise of rooftop solar PV has changed local government community engagement

Abstract

Australian local governments develop and deliver a range of community engagement programmes designed to reduce household-based greenhouse gas emissions. This article draws on practice theory to analyse how these programmes have changed over time in response to the rapid deployment of a domestic renewable energy technology: rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV). After outlining the practice “lens” used to analyse these practices, we draw on empirical research to examine traditional forms of climate change community engagement practice including meanings of leadership adopted by local governments. We note how these play out in the form of ambitious community-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets that favour technological responses to climate change which in turn has favoured the rise of rooftop solar PV, and how community engagement practices have changed as a result.

We find that Australian local government climate change community engagement practices have experienced three distinct forms of performance. The first, what might be termed “traditional” climate change community engagement practices, rely upon individuals acting out of adherence to pro-social environmental values. The second highlights the technology of rooftop solar PV with its associated pro-individual motivations, such as financial benefit. The third form, which is currently emerging, positions local governments as “disruptors” of centralised energy systems mobilising rooftop solar PV amongst actors currently excluded from the solar revolution, such as renters, low income households and community energy groups. In extending the meanings of rooftop solar PV uptake beyond financial benefits to a shared response to climate change, local governments become active agents in mobilising community energy transitions.

Keywords:

• Local government
• community engagement
• social practice theory
• rooftop solar photovoltaic
• energy transition

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Australian local governments play an important role in helping households reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. They use community engagement programmes, such as workshops, challenges and information provision, to encourage household to reduce emissions by using the threat of climate change as a motivation for action. At the same time, Australian households have also installed photovoltaic solar on their rooftops at a faster rate than anywhere else in the world. However, the motivation for this has primarily been in the form of financial benefit for the individual. This research explores how local government community engagement programmes have adjusted to the rise of rooftop solar, and how they might go further by promoting forms of community renewable energy. In this way, they can preserve the collective nature of existing programmes while appealing to a broader audience.

Competing Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

David Meiklejohn and Sarah Bekessy were supported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions. Sarah Bekessy was also supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research.