02 · Context

Three drivers of solar inequality

01

Building Density

Dense urban fabric with narrow lots and shared rooftops creates structural barriers to residential solar installation.

02

Building Height

Taller buildings face shading, structural load limits, and landlord–tenant incentive mismatches that reduce solar uptake.

03

Median Earnings

High upfront costs and unequal access to incentives mean wealthier areas disproportionately benefit from solar energy.

Literature Review — Evidence for Driver Selection
Density
Mohajeri et al. (2016) · Effects of urban compactness on solar energy potential Mohajeri et al. (2016) demonstrate that annual solar irradiation decreases from 816 to 591 kWh/m² with increasing urban compactness, with facade PV potential collapsing from 20% to 3% in the densest Geneva neighbourhoods due to mutual shading.
Height
Poon et al. (2020) · Parametric study of URBAN morphology on building solar energy potential in Singapore context Poon et al. (2020) find that height-to-width ratio is the strongest predictor of facade solar irradiance (r = −0.95) across 720 Singapore morphologies, with higher site coverage consistently suppressing solar access through shading.
Income
Dokshin et al. (2024) · Closing the green gap? Changing disparities in residential solar installation and the importance of regional heterogeneity In New York State, higher‑income census tracts have much higher solar adoption; lowest‑income tracts have about 1.3 systems per 1,000 people vs. 8.4 in the highest‑income quintile
Education
Lane et al. (2024) · Readiness for a clean energy future: Prevalence, perceptions, and barriers to adoption of electric stoves and solar panels in New York city The study recommends community-level outreach, clear information on community solar, costs, and benefits, and partnerships with community-based organizations to translate interest into action, especially in overburdened communities