Abstract
In response to the effects of climate change, many countries are realigning their energy systems to the principle of sustainability. An energy system change will lead to the development of substantial renewable energy infrastructure (mostly wind and photovoltaic) in landscapes with effects on perceived landscape quality and socio-political acceptance. Both direct perceptive effects of physical landscape structures and latent meanings associated with those structures potentially affect their acceptance.This work evaluates the role of landscape-technology fit (derived from place-technology fit) representing the extent to which alternatives within each of these two components “fit” together (e.g., does a given type of renewable energy infrastructure fit well within some landscapes but not others?). It also evaluates the role of latent meanings ascribed to landscapes and renewable energy infrastructure within that mentioned “fit” decision as well as the role of prior experience (exposure) to both.The study is based on a survey of Swiss citizens in a representative online panel (n = 1062). To estimate preferences for diverse renewable energy infrastructure scenarios across landscape types, a discrete choice model was implemented. Meanings ascribed to landscapes and renewable energy infrastructure were included in a second component of the survey. An innovative hybrid choice model approach facilitated integration of latent and observed variables in a hierarchy of predictors.Results show that most effects were statistically significant. Landscape-technology fit functioned as a moderator between choice attributes and preferences; in turn, it is predicted by landscape and renewable energy meanings, which are predicted by relevant prior experience (exposure).
Highlights
Sustainable energy production is a challenge facing many European countries, including Switzerland, especially since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power disaster
Many studies show that an Renewable energy infrastructure (REI)-driven landscape transformation can lead to highly relevant visual-aesthetic impacts in the case of wind en ergy [e.g. [6,7,8], PV [e.g. [9,10,11,12] and high voltage overhead power lines [e.g. [13,14,15]
This study focuses on public preferences in Switzerland for selected REI
Summary
Sustainable energy production is a challenge facing many European countries, including Switzerland, especially since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power disaster. Some of that infrastructure will be located on exposed sites like moun tain ridges, open plain fields or even on buildings. This may lead to important physical and social effects on the perceived landscape quality and affect socio-political acceptance of REI in landscapes [1,2,3]. Many well-known landscape theories refer to the direct perception of physical landscape structures [5], since they influence the relationship between humans and nature. This effect applies to REI, as they are placed in landscapes [16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
