Solar Photovoltaic Adoption Research Articles

Clean energy transition in rural Bangladesh: Challenges in adoption and impact

ABSTRACT At the household level, the solar photovoltaic (PV) system is an off-grid clean energy source with significant poverty reduction potential, thereby contributing to the attainment of several sustainable development goals. Nevertheless, there has been limited adoption of renewable or clean energy technologies in Bangladesh. At present, renewable energy sources account for only 3% of the country’s electricity generation. This study thus investigates the drivers of solar PV adoption and the impact of this on household income and poverty in Bangladesh. We present an econometric analysis of data from the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey, 2020. Our findings indicate that only 5.51% of the sample households adopted solar PV, with the likelihood of adoption 3.8% higher in households with a mobile phone, 1.7% higher in households with internet access, and 2.8% higher among homeowners. However, the government’s programs to expand the electricity grid made the delivery of solar PV by partner organizations less competitive. Our analysis reveals that the adoption of solar PV has a positive effect on household income of between 9.31% and 13.50%. The poverty gap is likely to decrease by around 20% to 26% due to adoption. These findings are pertinent to ongoing policy development efforts targeted at increasing the adoption of renewable energy to meet the sustainable development goals. Solar PV information could be potentially disseminated through mass media and modern communication technologies that require internet access. Furthermore, increasing the installation of solar PV systems in rented houses may promote the adoption of solar PV. It is imperative to implement policies that provide incentives for the installation and utilization of solar PV.

Empowering rural South Asia: Off-grid solar PV, electricity accessibility, and sustainable agriculture

This study investigates the impact of off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on electricity accessibility and agricultural sustainability in rural South Asia, employing panel data methodology: least square dummy variable (LSDV) and Lewbel instrumental variable (IV) approach. The findings demonstrate a robust positive association between solar PV adoption and increased electricity access, even when accounting for individual and period-specific factors. Increased electricity access significantly contributes to higher agricultural value added per worker, but not necessarily to the overall share of agriculture in the economy. This analysis also reveals a positive and significant impact of solar PV (SPV) on agricultural value added per worker, independent of rural electrification levels. Heterogeneities across time and context, along with country-specific factors, play crucial roles in shaping these relationships. While factors like government effectiveness and GDP per capita have complex and sometimes counterintuitive effects, access to land, agricultural employment, and capital investments all contribute positively to agricultural sustainability. The Lewbel IV method offers strong impact of SPV on electrification, independent of external factors, and its direct contribution to agricultural output, make it a compelling tool for empowering rural communities and building a more sustainable future in South Asia. Robustness of the result is validated through three approaches: measuring variable averages at three-year sub-periods, applying three-stage least squares (3SLS), and utilizing alternative methods (panel corrected standard errors (PCSE), feasible generalized least squares (FGLS)) to consider various data characteristics. Off-grid solar PV emerges as a game-changer for rural electrification and a catalyst for sustainable agricultural development in South Asia. Governments and development agencies can prioritize investments in solar PV systems to address energy poverty and boost agricultural productivity.

It takes a village: The role of community attributes in shaping solar photovoltaic adoption intention in Germany

The shared attributes, attitudes, and beliefs of communities can either act as a catalyst or a barrier to the adoption of pro-environmental behaviours such as the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV). Using a multilevel mixed-effect modelling approach on survey data from 1800 German homeowners, we examine how individual/household and objective community attributes and their interplay shape the intention to adopt solar PV. Research findings indicate that a significant explanation of intention to adopt solar PV is related to unobserved community characteristics (13 %); with community level covariates including a proxy for spatial peer effects explains 8 % of this variance. Testing for spatial peer effects via a cross-level interaction, our findings suggest that a higher diffusion rate of PV installations in a community can positively influence intention to adopt Solar PV for households who on average have a low intention to adopt. Understanding the degree that individual versus area-based effects impact intention to adopt can provide policymakers with a framework to develop policies to incentivize the uptake of Solar PV among traditionally “hard-to-convince” population groups at the local level.

Determinants of Solar Photovoltaic Adoption Intention among Households: A Meta-Analysis

Determinants of Solar Photovoltaic Adoption Intention among Households: A Meta-Analysis

Unveiling the shadows: a qualitative exploration of barriers to rooftop solar photovoltaic adoption in residential sectors

Abstract In the face of global climate change, the urgent shift towards renewable energy sources such as solar power is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a sustainable future, presenting a universal challenge and opportunity for energy policy worldwide. India’s adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic is pivotal due to its vast solar potential, which aligns with national goals to increase renewable energy capacity, reduce carbon emissions, and achieve energy security. Kerala’s geographical location offers abundant solar potential, making it a prime candidate for the adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems. Coupled with the state’s strong commitment to renewable energy initiatives such as the ambitious “SOURA” (solar subsidy program by the Kerala State Electricity Board) project and various incentives for solar adoption, Kerala stands at the forefront of India’s transition towards sustainable energy solutions. Understanding the barriers to rooftop solar photovoltaic adoption in Kerala is crucial for tailoring effective policies and strategies that address specific hindrances from economic constraints to informational gaps. This study employs a qualitative research method to identify the barriers to rooftop solar photovoltaic adoption among households in Kerala. Through face-to-face interviews with a purposively selected sample of 52 households, the research aims to gain in-depth insights into the multifaceted challenges hindering the widespread adoption of solar energy in residential settings. The findings reveal several key barriers: financial barriers, informational barriers, technical barriers, regulatory barriers, social barriers, and psychological barriers. Sentiment analysis indicates that while there is a predominantly positive attitude towards solar photovoltaic adoption, there are significant concerns that still need to be addressed. Addressing these barriers with targeted policy interventions and public awareness campaigns could significantly enhance the adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems in Kerala.

A System Dynamics Model for Rooftop Solar PV System Development in Indonesia

Despite of Indonesia’s vast solar energy potential according to the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia’s total installed capacity of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) is very far from Indonesia’s target of 3.6 GW in 2025. Indonesia once applied net metering scheme for rooftop solar PV policy and was expected to be able to boost rooftop solar PV growth. A system dynamics approach is used in the research to develop an assessment model to evaluate the policies’ impact on residential rooftop solar PV system growth. A Causal Loop Diagram was established then transformed into Stock and Flow Diagram (SFD) using software Vensim PLE 10.1.3, which was used to simulate several policies’ scenarios related to residential rooftop solar PV adoption and CO2 emissions reduction. Ten scenarios were simulated in this study involving three groups of intervention: initial net metering tariff, reduction on initial solar PV cost, upper limit of ROI, and combination of initial net metering tariff and initial solar PV cost reduction. The simulations revealed that combination of increasing net metering tariff to 80% & initial cost reduction 30% has the highest potential solar PV installations, the highest CO2 emissions reduction, and the lowest accumulation cost of net metering in 2030. This study can be used as reference by the policy makers in Indonesia to formulate the optimum policy to boost rooftop solar PV growth as the simulations shows that residential rooftop solar PV with the right intervention can meet the government’s target of rooftop solar PV in 2030.

Navigating the water–energy nexus amidst the Lebanese economic crisis

ABSTRACT Lebanon's economic crisis has disrupted the country's energy and water sectors, highlighting their interdependence. The methodology involves surveying 150 municipalities across all Lebanese governorates, ensuring a comprehensive coverage of public and private water resources. Data on water and energy were collected before and during the crisis to explore this nexus during periods of economic turmoil. The findings reveal a decline in water provision during the crisis, with the average weekly water supply plummeting from 49 h in 2019 to 22 h in 2023. Concurrently, the use of water tankers has surged from 26 to 44%, indicating a concerning shift in water acquisition methods. Despite the crisis, conventional water sources remain predominant, while unconventional sources account for less than 1% of the total supply. In response to the energy shortage, renewable energy sources have gained traction in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The scarcity and rising cost of electricity have driven the adoption of solar photovoltaics in the water sector, reaching 4.8% for extraction from underground reservoirs and 2.8% for distribution. Similarly, the use of solar water heaters has increased from 7.9 to 15.4% in 2023. These findings underscore the interplay between energy and water security during periods of economic instability.

Dynamics of large-scale solar PV adoption feedback effects: A technical, economic, and environmental assessment

Large residential solar photovoltaic (PV) penetration has a compound effect on the grid load reductions, PV hosts’ economic savings, and the achievable environmental benefits, which is not fully understood. This study combines process-based energy balance modeling, life cycle assessment, regression analysis, and stochastic demand simulations to assess the technical, economic, and environmental tradeoffs under increased residential solar PV adoption, using Boston, MA as a testbed. It was found that increased PV adoption may lead to a steeper ramp-up in the grid during winter months, but a flattened peak load curve during summer months, emphasizing the need for seasonal time-of-use rates and energy storage. It also reduces electricity wholesale prices, lowering PV hosts' economic benefits by about $15 million under 100 % adoption. The largest buildings present the highest load reduction (top 5.5 %) and environmental benefits (top 16.6 %), but they are the least cost efficient (top 14.5 %), requiring tradeoff balance.

Organizational Ethical Leadership Practices and Adoption of Solar Photovoltaics in Climate-Smart Agriculture in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

The study examined the influence of organizational ethical leadership practices on adopting solar energy technology in Climate-Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a positivist research philosophy and descriptive correlational research design targeting the county's 240 executive, policy, legislative, and decision-making level staff as of December 2022. A census was applied to all the target population. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 28. The study showed a strong positive correlation between organizational ethical practices and solar photovoltaic adoption, while the Chi-Square test results strongly associated organizational ethical practices with solar photovoltaic adoption. Regression analysis revealed that the organizational ethical leadership practices significantly predicted solar photovoltaic adoption. Thus, the study rejected the null hypothesis that organizational ethical practices did not significantly influence solar photovoltaic adoption in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The findings for the regression analysis after moderation showed that stakeholder perceptions significantly moderated the relationship between organizational ethical practices and solar photovoltaic adoption, and thus, the study rejected the null hypothesis that ‘stakeholder perceptions did not significantly moderate the relationship between organizational ethical practices and solar PV adoption.' The results of the study indicated that the respondents agreed on the need for high-level commitment and worker empowerment and hence concluded and recommended that the Uasin Gishu County government leadership develop an appropriate reward system to recognize employees' efforts in Climate Smart Agriculture toward solar photovoltaic adoption. It further recommended that the county leadership establish codes of conduct to regulate and align with environmental, sustainability, and governance standards to support business dealings with ESG-compliant stakeholders that incorporate solar PV adoption in their mitigation measures against climate change.

Municipal building codes and the adoption of solar photovoltaics

Conflicting societal goals can lead to national and local policies that are at odds with each other. National policies promoting the adoption of solar photovoltaics may be counteracted by local policies defining the aesthetics of the built environment. As solar photovoltaic energy approaches grid parity globally, non-pecuniary barriers to the adoption of this important renewable energy source become increasingly salient. Using a unique survey of municipalities regarding such building codes and administrative data on all solar installations in Germany, a leader in solar adoption, we document the impact that municipalities amending their building codes to restrict solar installations, often with an eye toward preserving the historical nature of the town, has on solar adoption. We find that municipalities that implement solar policies have 10.4 percent less solar photovoltaic capacity than municipalities in the control group. We confirm our results when applying spatial techniques and analyzing the impact of such policies on regulated areas within municipalities.

Business models for enhanced solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption: Transforming customer interaction and engagement practices

Solar energy can play an important role in meeting global energy needs in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. However, despite solar energy’s accelerated growth in recent years, its level of diffusion is highly uneven when looked at on a global scale. The solar photovoltaic (PV) companies involved in the sales of PV systems are central to fostering diffusion. A company’s ability to devise and deliver value offerings that match customers’ needs is vital in encouraging the adoption of solar PV technology. The extent to which a company can address market needs and deliver value often depends on the business model it has adopted. The extant research has explored business models based on ownership structures, financing options, the effect of regulatory regimes and policies, industry practices, alliances, and business models for distributed generation and large-scale utility companies. However, the research to date, has mostly neglected the business models of solar companies involved in the sales and installation of solar PV. This qualitative study based on twenty semi-structured interviews contributes to the existing knowledge by exploring how sales and installation companies can enhance solar photovoltaic adoption by transforming customer interactions and engagement practices, which is a key element of a company’s business model. Companies’ ability to communicate value offerings and address consumer concerns is important in enhancing diffusion. The study highlights that transforming customer interaction and engagement practices can help companies broaden customer reach, improve the dissemination of information, reduce transaction costs and efficiently utilise market insights and trends.

Community solar PV adoption in residential apartment buildings: A case study on influencing factors and incentive measures in Wuhan

The potential benefits of adopting PV (photovoltaic) in residential apartments in China, such as reducing peak demand and electricity transmission issues, have been overlooked. Community PV is more applicable for most Chinese cities residents living in apartment buildings. However, existing studies failed to provide comprehensive insight regarding factors influencing community PV adoption and adoption decision strategies. This study utilized a discrete choice experiment performed in Wuhan to examine individuals' community PV adoption preferences and analyze the factors influencing their decisions. The study found that respondents who were well-educated, older than 40, lived in residential buildings constructed earlier than 2006, had a living area >120 m2, or used AC for more months in the summer were more likely to adopt PV. Three decision strategies (classes) with different PV product preferences were identified. Peer effect is identified to significantly influence the community PV adoption as almost 65% of the respondents are more likely to adopt PV if there are high neighboring PV adoption or installation agreement rates. Cost was not a determining factor for a significant proportion of respondents, who instead focused on revenue. Subsidy policies also had limited influence, affecting only about 43% of respondents. Policy implications are provided based on the research results.

Investigating energy policies to boost grid-connected rooftop solar PV in Sudan

Abstract Grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can reduce the energy demand from the grid and significantly increase the power available to it. However, rooftop solar PV has not yet been widely adopted in many sub-Saharan African countries, such as Sudan, although they are endowed with high solar radiation and in dire need of additional power. This paper investigates risks and policies to increase grid-connected rooftop solar PV adoption in Sudan. A simplified United Nations Development Program Derisking Renewable Energy Investment framework is adopted to investigate this over three stages. For Stage 1, a list of risks and barriers was produced based on a literature review of solar PV studies in Sudan and interviews with nine stakeholders. Affordability was the risk most often mentioned (eight times from nine interviewees), followed by concerns about poor utility grid infrastructure. For Stage 2, policy de-risking instruments and financial de-risking instruments were listed to overcome the barriers. These include the introduction of net metering, the use of a third-party organization to monitor policy implementation, upgrade of the grid infrastructure, public awareness campaigns and energy-saving schemes. For Stage 3, the levelized cost of electricity was estimated for a typical 2-kW rooftop PV system without policies (0.11 $/kWh) and with a net-metering policy (0.07 $/kWh).

Human Resource Training and Development and Adoption of Solar Photovoltaics in Climate Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The study aimed to examine the influence of Human Resource training and development on the adoption of solar energy technology in Climate Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive correlational research design targeting the County's 240 executive, policy, legislative, and decision-making level staff as of December 2022. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was pilot-tested and refined before final data collection. Data collected was analyzed in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 28. Chi-Square test results confirmed a strong association between HR training and development and solar PV adoption {χ² (2546, N = 152) = 2739.667, p < .05}. Results revealed that HR training and development significantly predicted solar PV adoption, β = 1.739, t (152) = 19.548, p < .05, and stakeholder perceptions significantly moderated the relationship between HR training and development and solar PV adoption in the County. Thus, the study rejected the hypothesis that HR training and development did not significantly influence solar PV adoption. The study recommended that the county leadership allocate more financial resources and solar energy experts for training technicians and artisans.

Influence of Organizational Culture on the Adoption ofSolar Photovoltaics in Climate-Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The study aimed to examine organizational culture's influence on the adoption of solar energy technology in climate-smart agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive correlational research design targeting the county's 240 executive, policy, legislative, and decision-making level staff as of December 2022. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was pilot-tested and refined before final data collection. Data collected was analyzed in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 28. The results revealed a strong association between the organizational culture dimension and solar PV adoption as indicated by the Chi-Square test, χ² (2456, N = 152) = 2422.525, p < .05, while regression revealed that the organizational culture dimension significantly predicted solar PV adoption, (β = 1.686, t (152) = 17.360, p < .05). Given the results, the study rejected the null hypothesis that the organizational culture dimension of strategic leadership had no significant influence on solar PV adoption in the county, the study concluded that the organizational culture dimension elements were important for improved solar technology adoption. The study further recommended that the county develop an organizational culture that appreciates that climate change is a global phenomenon and ensures staff engagement and alignment with the objectives of solar PV adoption for climate change mitigation.

Investigating Factors Affecting Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Adoption among Malaysian SMEs

This study investigates the factors affecting solar PV adoption among Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing specifically on manufacturing. The study employed Technology-Organisational-Environmental (TOE) model as a research framework. The study hypothesised that owners’/managers’ technology readiness (innovativeness and optimism), relative advantage, organisational readiness, and government support play a significant role in the adoption of solar PV. Data were gathered from 69 manufacturing SMEs and analysed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The findings demonstrate a significant influence of owner’s/managers’ technology readiness (innovativeness and optimism) and relative advantage on a firm’s adoption of solar PV. Meanwhile, organisational readiness and government support were not significant predictors of the adoption. The study’s findings can be helpful to policymakers (e.g., the government) and solar authority bodies [e.g., Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA)] in Malaysia to design effective strategies, programs, and incentives to promote solar PV adoption in the manufacturing sector. The study further suggests that the efforts to promote greater adoption of solar PV among firms should be capitalised on its perceived benefits. In short, consistent with the government initiative to promote a more sustainable environment using renewable energy sources such as solar PV, this study offers an insightful perspective to understand the acceptance of this renewable energy solution among the industry players, specifically the SME sector.

Sustainable energy development through non‐residential rooftop solar photovoltaic adoption: Empirical evidence from India

AbstractEnvironmental deterioration and climate change are the key issues nowadays that hinder sustainable development, and the consumption of fossil fuel‐based energy sources significantly contributes to the issues. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal‐7 concerning sustainable and clean energy development, deploying non‐conventional energy sources is crucial. Solar energy is considered a significantly clean and sustainable energy source among renewable energy sources. Therefore, the present study attempted to investigate the key factors affecting the adoption of non‐residential Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (RSPV) systems in Chandigarh, India. The researchers used a descriptive research design to examine the current phenomena. The current study is premised on the perceptions of the users of the non‐residential RSPV system. The data was acquired through a self‐administered survey questionnaire. A complete response from 207 participants was used for analysis purposes. The researchers have used the Partial Least Square‐Structural Equation Modeling strategy to estimate measurement and structural models. The study found that nodal agencies and environmental organizations are crucial in disseminating information and motivations concerning RSPV adoption. The study revealed that the environmental concerns of the users, compatibility, environmental benefits, the immediacy of reward, and trialability were found to be significant drivers of the diffusion and adoption of non‐residential RSPV systems. The study concluded that a paucity of financial incentives and high upfront expenses had been significant blockades to the diffusion and adoption of non‐residential RSPV.

Sharing the grid: The key to equitable access for small-scale energy generation

Small-scale distributed generation (DG) installations, like rooftop solar photovoltaics, are adopted earlier in high-income households than in other portions of society. This can limit grid electricity export capacity for latecomers, causing inequitable access and slower renewables deployment. In search for an equitable solution, this work challenges current DG permissioning practices: instead of applying rules of thumb to assign DG, we propose a policy that represents grid limitations at all hierarchies of the grid (i.e., customer, distribution, sub-transmission and transmission levels). A method to predict interest in household DG installations over time based on demographic and socioeconomic variables is presented and validated. This is leveraged to test a novel policy for small-scale DG deployment: sharing the grid; and to explore its potential to improve equity in grid access and speed of renewables deployment. Proposed, current and alternative policy paths on small-scale DG adoption are tested to identify benefits and trade-offs. Using Ireland’s national utility as case study, we perform a long-term simulation of solar photovoltaic adoption. Sharing electricity export capacities increases participation from 77.9 % to 100 %, unlocking access to the grid for 364,064 electricity customers compared to current policy—without the need for infrastructure upgrades. Furthermore, the proposed policy achieves the same overall level of installed capacity as current policy 44 % faster, accelerating small-scale DG rollout, benefiting households and decarbonisation targets. Ultimately, to determine equitability, we connect these results to demographic variables and find that grid limits are not biased towards any demographic group studied, suggesting that policy can be tailored to prevent DG access inequity.

The Impact of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Adoption on Corporate Image and Business Sustainability in Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a rapidly growing renewable energy technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity. As a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, solar PV is increasingly recognised as a critical component in shifting to a low-carbon economy. Solar PV is often associated with a high upfront cost. Nevertheless, solar PV adoption can provide significant long-term financial benefits and energy saving in the long run, especially for small businesses. Even though many incentives have been introduced to promote solar PV adoption, the number of studies focusing on the impact of such adoption, particularly in Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), is still scarce. As a result, little is known about how solar PV adoption can benefit SMEs. This study, therefore, examined the relationship between (1) solar PV adoption and corporate image; and (2) solar PV adoption and business sustainability (economic, environmental, and social). A quantitative research approach was employed to gather the data, which involved distributing a questionnaire to the targeted users. Data from sixty-nine (69) SMEs from manufacturing industries were analysed using SmartPLS (version 4.0). The manufacturing sector was selected as it is among the significant contributors to the increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Hence, the key players’ awareness and understanding of the issue are crucial to promoting solar PV’s future adoption. The outcome of this study reveals a positive relationship between solar PV adoption and corporate image, and economic and environmental sustainability. There is no evidence, however, to support the relationship between solar PV adoption and social sustainability. This research contributes theoretically to bridging the gap in understanding the impact of solar PV adoption on corporate image and business sustainability, particularly in the context of manufacturing SMEs. Practically, this study provides recommendations on how the results could be exploited to promote solar PV adoption among SMEs.

Stage model of the process of solar photovoltaic adoption by residential households in the Philippines

Stage model of the process of solar photovoltaic adoption by residential households in the Philippines