TY - JOUR

T1 - Intentions to adopt photovoltaic systems depend on homeowners' expected personal gains and behavior of peers

AU - Korcaj, Liridon

AU - Hahnel, Ulf J.J.

AU - Spada, Hans

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

PY - 2015/3/1

Y1 - 2015/3/1

N2 - Photovoltaic (PV) system adoption in Germany is mainly driven by a feed-in tariff that guarantees a financial return on investment. To promote adoption in the future absence of this tariff, we explored further motives of homeowners relevant to PV system purchase intention. A sample of 200 homeowners who did not own a PV system participated in an online-survey. Only few homeowners actually planned to adopt a PV system. However, basic willingness to adopt a PV system was high, whereas willingness to pay was low - hinting at a potentially growing market with falling prices. Using path analysis, we show that the subjective norm (i.e. peer behavior and expectations) and the attitude towards PV were strong predictors of purchase intention. Attitude towards PV systems was mainly based on aspirations of social status, autarky, and financial gains, whereas costs, efforts, and risks associated with PV systems were detrimental to attitude. We conclude that to promote further adoption, energy storage systems that increase financial savings and autarky need to be improved and marketed. Furthermore, institutionalized tests of PV systems and labels need to be introduced to reduce risk perceptions among homeowners willing to adopt a PV system.

AB - Photovoltaic (PV) system adoption in Germany is mainly driven by a feed-in tariff that guarantees a financial return on investment. To promote adoption in the future absence of this tariff, we explored further motives of homeowners relevant to PV system purchase intention. A sample of 200 homeowners who did not own a PV system participated in an online-survey. Only few homeowners actually planned to adopt a PV system. However, basic willingness to adopt a PV system was high, whereas willingness to pay was low - hinting at a potentially growing market with falling prices. Using path analysis, we show that the subjective norm (i.e. peer behavior and expectations) and the attitude towards PV were strong predictors of purchase intention. Attitude towards PV systems was mainly based on aspirations of social status, autarky, and financial gains, whereas costs, efforts, and risks associated with PV systems were detrimental to attitude. We conclude that to promote further adoption, energy storage systems that increase financial savings and autarky need to be improved and marketed. Furthermore, institutionalized tests of PV systems and labels need to be introduced to reduce risk perceptions among homeowners willing to adopt a PV system.

KW - Acceptance

KW - Autarky

KW - Photovoltaic system

KW - Purchase intention

KW - Purchase motives

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84908319112&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.renene.2014.10.007

DO - 10.1016/j.renene.2014.10.007

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84908319112

VL - 75

SP - 407

EP - 415

JO - Renewable Energy

JF - Renewable Energy

SN - 0960-1481

ER -