The Power of Sun—A Comparative Cost–Benefit Analysis of Residential PV Systems in Poland

Agnieszka Bus (), Michał Hasny, Edyta Hewelke () and Anna Szelągowska
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Agnieszka Bus: Department of Environmental Development and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Michał Hasny: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Edyta Hewelke: Department of Environmental Development and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Szelągowska: Department of Real Estate Market and Innovative City, Collegium of Business Administration, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Niepodleglosci 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of two residential photovoltaic (PV) on-grid systems in Poland: a 4.35 kWp system (V1) and a 5.70 kWp system (V2). With growing interest in prosumer energy and climate goals, assessing small-scale PV systems is critical for sustainable energy planning. Economic performance was analyzed using net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and discounted payback period (DPP). Sensitivity analyses identified key factors affecting investment outcomes. V2 demonstrated superior performance, with an NPV five times higher than that of V1 and annual savings of EUR 1392 compared to EUR 270. V2 also achieved a 15.66% IRR and 7.7-year DPP, outperforming V1′s 5.85% IRR and 17.3-year DPP. CO 2 emission reductions were 2.6 and 3.6 Mg/year for V1 and V2, respectively. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored financial incentives and regulatory reforms to support prosumers and optimize grid integration in Poland.

Keywords: CBA; CO 2 emission; DPP; economic assessment; environmental effect; NPV (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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