Improving the energy performance of housing through energy efficiency and electrification is one way to reduce energy costs for First Nations households and communities.

This study evaluates whether residential rooftop solar can serve as a preventative solution to energy insecurity among low- to moderate-income households.

Using a national, matched sample of solar and non-solar households based on detailed and address-specific data, we find that solar leads to large, robust and salient reductions in five indicators of energy insecurity.

Moreover, the benefits of solar ‘spill over’ to improve a household’s ability to pay other energy bills.

• an individual is unable to pay their electricity bill
• they receive a disconnection notice (46% less often)
• a reduction in the likelihood they reduce their energy consumption to save money on energy costs (15% less often)
• a reduction in the likelihood they forgo expenses on household necessities to pay an energy bill, and
• a reduction in the likelihood their home is kept at an uncomfortable temperature.

The results suggest that rooftop solar may be an effective tool for policymakers who seek to reduce energy insecurity.

Authors: Yozwiak, M.; Barbose, G.; Carley, S.; Forrester, S.; Konisky, D.; Memmott, T., et al. (2025). The effect of residential solar on energy insecurity among low- to moderate-income households. Nature Energy, 10(5), 569-580. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41560-025-01730-y Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1st561b6

Read the report