Bridging the Solar Divide: Geographical and Socio-Economic Drivers of Equitable PV Deployment

Solar photovoltaics (PV) have become one of the most accessible and versatile renewable energy technologies. Their growth, however, is far from uniform. Technical potential, financing, and policy incentives vary strongly between regions, and local income levels and infrastructure often determine whether communities can participate in the energy transition.This Research Topic invites studies examining how geography and socio‑economic context influence PV deployment and performance. It aims to bring together evidence from different parts of the world—ranging from rural electrification projects in developing countries to large‑scale installations in industrial economies—to understand why adoption patterns differ and how to improve equity and system efficiency.Particular attention is given to regional disparities, household behavior, energy access, and policy design. We encourage contributions that present real‑world data, case studies, and comparative analyses linking PV diffusion with social and spatial factors. Technical, economic, and environmental perspectives are all welcome where they support a clearer understanding of the conditions that enable successful and sustainable PV implementation. By linking these socio-economic and policy dimensions directly to system performance, reliability, and deployment efficiency, this Research Topic aims to advance the technical understanding of sustainable PV systems.The themes of this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:- Links between solar resource availability, grid infrastructure, and deployment rates- Role of mini-grids/off-grid solar in last-mile electrification- Case studies combining technical assessment with field data or policy observation- Spatial and socio‑economic patterns of residential and utility‑scale PV uptake- Barriers to PV adoption in low‑income or remote areas- Impacts of PV integration on energy equity, affordability, and reliability- Evaluation of national and local policy instruments supporting solar energy- Comparative regulatory frameworks (feed-in tariffs, net metering) across income levels- Climate finance and carbon credit mechanisms enabling PV in low-income regions- Gender dimensions of PV access and decision-making Topic editors: Muyiwa S Adaramola, David Quansah, Sylvia Aarakit Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83995/bridging-the-solar-divide-geographical-and-socio-economic-drivers-of-equitable-pv-deployment