DIFFERENCES IN THE CONCENTRATION OF SOLAR ENERGY INVESTMENTS USINGPHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AND SOLAR COLLECTORS IN LUBELSKIE AND MAZOWIECKIEVOIVODSHIPS’ MUNICIPALITIES

The paper emphasizes the differences in the concentration of investments with the use of photovoltaic panels and solar collectors in voivodships with significant potential for using solar energy. The subject of the paper addresses, among others, the significant changes in renewable energy sources (RES) and EU subsidies that affect the economics of solar micro-installations in Poland. The study applied data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which included completed operations under the rural development program (RDP) for the period 2007-2013. The percentage share of the number of photovoltaic panel installations in Lubelskie and Mazowieckie Voivodships constituted 22% of that type of investments in the country (13% and 9% respectively, with a total capacity of 2,634 kW). However, in the case of the number of solar collector installations, the percentage share in Lubelskie and Mazowieckie Voivodships accounted for 44% of such installations in Poland (29% and 15%, respectively, with a total capacity of 4,239 kW). The results confirm the view that the location is an important determinant of photovoltaic panel and solar collector installations in Poland as shown in the examined voivodships characterized by the favorable solar radiation conditions.