1. The UK faces an energy crisis due to climate change, security of supply and affordability.
2. Microgeneration technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can help address this crisis by providing low-income households with access to renewable energy.
3. This paper examines the evolution of solar prosuming amongst social-housing tenants living in one of the 10% most deprived areas in England, exploring their lived experiences across four seasons.
The article is generally reliable and trustworthy, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the current energy crisis in the UK and how microgeneration technologies can be used to address it. The article also presents evidence from various studies that support its claims, such as the 2008 Energy Act which introduced subsidies for small-scale renewable energy generation, and research into owner occupiers who shifted their energy demand to coincide with peak solar production. Additionally, the article acknowledges potential issues with solar PV use, such as opportunistic use of free electricity or lack of engagement from social housing tenants.
However, there are some potential biases in the article that should be noted. For example, while it does mention other microgeneration technologies such as biomass boilers and microscale wind turbines, it focuses mainly on solar PV panels which could lead to a bias towards this technology over others. Additionally, while the article does acknowledge potential issues with solar PV use, it does not explore any counterarguments or possible risks associated with its adoption in low-income communities. Furthermore, while the article mentions that social stigma can play a role in reducing uptake of energy efficiency measures in low-income areas, it does not provide any evidence for this claim or explore any possible solutions for addressing this issue.