Fossil fuels, which are widely used in Poland, have negative environmental and health consequences. Photovoltaics, used especially by households, contribute to a reduction in CO₂ emissions and indirectly reduce the problem of smog. However, the high cost of photovoltaic installations forces the use of economic incentives, such as direct subsidies to the installation, under the “My Electricity” program (hereinafter referred to as the program). The development of photovoltaics is hindered by the ineffective functioning of transmission grids. In the current edition of the “My Electricity” program, the main emphasis was placed on the use of electricity at the place of generation through the use of energy storage facilities and the transition to a new billing system, so-called net billing. The program indirectly contributes to the growing popularity of heat pumps as an installation that uses electricity generated on-site. Significant changes in the program inspired the authors of the study to plan and conduct nationwide research; they assessed investment plans for energy storage and heat pumps by potential individual investors, i.e., owners of single-family houses. Based on the results obtained, the authors of the article concluded that the new version of the “My Electricity” program will almost exclusively affect the energy storage market. This impact will stimulate the development and application of this technology. In the case of the heat pump market, the current demand will remain at the same level. The program will contribute to achieving the assumed goals, especially energy consumption at the place of production and reducing so-called low emissions. The program will not affect the demand for heat pumps.

The impact of climate change on the economy and environment humans live in has increased, leading to a relatively quick intensification of the effort to reduce the environmental footprint of the civilisation. The push to establish a sustainable energy economy has become one of the primary challenges today. A sustainable energy economy should ensure energy security, reduce energy poverty, and contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Poland is facing considerable challenges relevant to the objectives of EU policy, particularly the Fit for 55 package, which cannot be achieved without renewable energy sources. The most popular renewable energy source in Poland is solar energy. Apart from its obvious advantages, the use of distributed photovoltaic generation (including microgeneration) entails the need for transmission grid upgrades. The paper’s objective was to assess the RES potential of Poland through an analysis of the steps the state took and the progress of its targets. The empirical part focuses on the assessment of the use of the solar energy potential (in photovoltaic microgeneration) in cities with district rights in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, from 2014 to 2020. The study employs selected cartographic representation, comparative analysis, in-depth case study, and spatial analysis methods. The calculations involved data from Tauron Dystrybucja SA on the number of microgeneration systems in the cities, Database of Topographic Objects, Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office of Poland and Eurostat.

The aim of the paper is to assess the use of RES, i.e. solar energy (through investment in PV installations) in selected regional cities in Poland. We focused on the area of five regional capital cities, selected in terms of representativeness and fulfilling regional administrative or administrative and self-governmental functions. The research hypothesis is that installations are mainly mounted on new buildings, while income is a factor that determines the choice of PV. The methodological part features an analysis of the literature in the selected area. This was followed by an analysis of the statistical data available in the public statistics (Statistics Poland's data) and on the basis of primary data collected from the main electricity distributors (Tauron Dystrybucja S.A. and ENEA). The data for the analysis comes from before the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as these were characterised by a relative stabilisation of electricity prices and consumption in Poland. A correlation analysis based on the Pearson coefficient was carried out to investigate a possible relationship between the number of micro-installations in the cities reviewed and the other variables. An econometric model was built to analyse the variables studied, which have a significant impact on the number of PV micro-installations in the urban areas studied. The article fills a gap in the literature concerning the identification of conditions responsible for location preferences for renewable energy in the existing settlement patterns of fast-growing cities, dispersed in external zones, as well as in the urbanising rural environment. Research on prosumer energy in these areas is completely new. An in-depth analysis of the behaviour of prosumers and their preferences regarding photovoltaic installations may be the basis for optimising the economic instruments used in Poland to encourage investment in renewable energy sources.

Climate change and human activity are the main threats to rural areas and surrounding cities. The effects of climate change are mainly an increasing temperature, but also the intensity and frequency of extreme events. Climate change and its consequences are a growing problem. One of the ways to mitigate climate change, improve the quality of the natural environment and meet international obligations is sustainable energy management and the use of renewable energy sources (the RES). The aim of the study was to evaluate the energy economy, in particular the use of the RES in the Żywiec district in 2015–2020. In the rural areas of the Żywiec district, the preferred RES are solar energy (for all communities), energy from biomass and biogas from agricultural biogas plants. It has been assumed that the increase in the use of renewable energy (in this case PV installations) in the areas in question was mainly caused by the economic incentives. After the initial period (2015–2018) of lack of interest, there was a significant increase in the number of RES installations installed. PV installations prevailed. After the analysis, it seems that the increase in interest and installation of PV installations was mainly due to attractive, local subsidy programs, which significantly improved operational efficiency and shortened the payback time on investments in photovoltaic micro-installations. The adopted hypothesis was confirmed.

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the factors in the development of the “My Electricity” (Polish "Mój Prąd") program in Polish voivodeship cities, considering economic factors and local anti-smog regulations. The following research hypotheses were adopted: H1. The number of ME-subsidized installations in voivodeship capitals is correlated with the average gross income of residents. H2. The capacity of ME-subsidized installations in voivodeship capitals is correlated with income. Methodology: A systematic literature review was combined with an analysis of regional anti-smog resolutions. Statistical methods, including Pearson correlation, were used to verify the relationship between residents' income and the number/power of PV installations. Findings: Research confirms a strong positive correlation between residents' income and the dynamics of the program (H2 verified). Moreover, local anti-smog regulations, ranging from total coal bans to a lack of restrictions, significantly differentiate the investment pressure in regional centres. Practical implications: Findings suggest that future subsidies should prioritise energy storage to maintain grid stability under the net-billing system. Originality/value: The study fills a research gap by providing a comprehensive comparative analysis of all 16 voivodeship cities, linking environmental law with the economic potential of urban households.