Evaluating the Impact of Subsidies on Solar PV Adoption Using Multi-Agent Systems and Machine Learning

This study analyzes the impact of subsidies on the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Irish dairy farms using a multi-agent systems model. The model examines the interactions between policymakers and dairy farms, integrating a linear regression model to forecast electricity prices. Our findings demonstrate that higher subsidies significantly boost PV adoption rates, with adoption increasing from $2 \%$ at a $40 \%$ subsidy to $20.9 \%$ at a $\mathbf{7 0 \%}$ subsidy. These results provide valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the effectiveness of subsidies in promoting renewable energy adoption. This work underscores the potential of subsidy policies to enhance reliance on renewable energy, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and supporting the transition to sustainable energy sources.