Designing a model for enhancing intention to accept renewable energy technologies in rural communities of Ilam province, Iran

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this research is to investigate factors influencing the intention of villagers to use renewable energy. In this regard, by using the modified model of planned behavior, perceived behavioral control factors, perceived usefulness, perceived ease, mental norm and attitude toward energy sources for the intention of villagers to use energy sources. Therefore, the impact of each of these five variables was investigated in the form of research hypotheses. Design/methodology/approach This research has been done using a quantitative paradigm and a descriptive-correlation method. The statistical population of the study consisted of households (384) living in rural areas of Ilam province. A multistage cluster method was used to select the sample size. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that was developed based on the research background and research problem. Face validity of the research tool by professors of Islamic Azad University of Ilam and construct validity and reliability of research tools were confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and composite reliability. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS26 and SmartPLS3 software. Findings The results showed that the intention to use renewable energies (REs) among the rural peoples of Ilam province is affected by factors such as mental norms, attitude, perceived usefulness and perceived behavioral control and there is a positive and significant relationship between them. Originality/value In Iran, there is a lot of potential for usage of RE in rural communities, but compared to fossil fuels, had a small share in the current energy supply (Rezaei et al., 2022). RE technologies have not been sufficiently accepted and used by Iranian rural people (Rezaei and Ghafranfarid, 2018). Se the public acceptance of RE technologies is vital for successful process energy transfer (Huijts et al., 2012), non-acceptance of RE by society is a major obstacle to establishing RE technologies in Iran (Savari and Razmavar, 2022). It is expected that this research will fill the gap in the research literature.