Geographic variance in the effectiveness of renewable energy and solar energy advancement with strategic management against energy poverty in China

Existing research has primarily examined the variables that affect energy poverty (EP), with limited emphasis on the relationship between EP and the advancement of renewable energy and solar energy innovation (RSEAI). This research employs a moment quantile regression model to evaluate the energy poverty index system and determine the impact of renewable and solar energy innovation (RSEAI) on energy poverty (EP). The data is sourced from a panel of 30 provinces in China spanning the years 2003 to 2019. Our results indicate that renewable and solar energy innovations reduce EP. Moreover, our analysis using linear and non-linear models suggests that the climatic vulnerability index (CVI) serves as a moderating and threshold variable in this context. Research indicates that when CVI is comparatively low, renewable and solar energy innovations diminish EP. Conversely, at elevated CVI circumstances, the opposite is seen. Furthermore, this moderating impact exhibits notable spatial variation, occurring only in the western parts of China, with no substantial effects seen in the middle and eastern provinces. This work builds upon existing knowledge in the sector, providing critical insights for developing effective strategies to mitigate energy poverty and promote sustainable energy development.