Social and attitudinal determinants of the behavioral intention to adopt solar-energy systems

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5624633

Keating, K M

In spite of increased research efforts, an understanding of the factors encouraging solar adoption and the barriers hindering adoption is seriously deficient. This study attempts to correct this deficiency by developing a predictive model of intentions to adopt residential solar technologies. The development of the model derives from three sources: (1) findings from previous studies, (2) variables from the diffusion of innovations tradition, and (3) an attitude-behavior model from social psychology. The attitude-behavior model, developed by Martin Fishbein and his associates over the past several years, forms the core of the conceptual model that incorporates the diffusion variables and the findings from previous studies. The final conceptual model indicates, as expected, that a measure of attitudes toward the act of adopting solar technologies in the most-important predictor variable. Homeowners who weight the various factors associated with solar energy and arrive at a favorable composite-attitude express a behavioral intention to adopt the technology. Other factors, however, improve the level of prediction. Perceptions of economic advantages, perceptions of economic barriers, and educational attainment were found to be statistically significant predictors. Still other factors, such as income, the number of contracts with solar owners, and environmental concerns, improved prediction indirectly. However, perceived social norms had no significant effects on the formation of the intention to adopt solar energy systems.

• OSTI ID: 5624633
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140400* -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
ATTITUDES
BEHAVIOR
CONSTRAINTS
CONVERSION
ENERGY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER