Social acceptability of solar photovoltaic system in Pakistan: Key determinants and policy implications

Abstract

Solar energy is abundantly available in Pakistan and is converted into electrical energy by using solar photovoltaic system. This study identifies the determinants of social acceptability of solar photovoltaic (PV) system in northwest Pakistan. The study is based on a survey of 100 randomly selected households from three villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In the study area, 46% of the households used solar PV system. We used binary logistic model to investigate the determinants of social acceptability of solar PV system. The results show that income of the household, household’s monthly cost of energy consumption, education of respondents, information about the availability of solar PV system in the market, and source of awareness about solar PV system are the key determinants of the social acceptability of solar PV system. The overall model was highly significant as shown by p < 0.001. The study concludes that household, community, and market related variables play a key role in the social acceptability of solar PV system. The study recommends that the government should adopt incentive based policies that focus on solar energy promotion in Pakistan.