Information dissemination and residential solar PV adoption rates: The effect of an information campaign in Sweden
Journal article, 2020

Information campaigns promoting sustainable technology adoption are common. However, knowledge about their effects is limited. In this study, the effect of a Swedish information campaign for solar photovoltaics (PV) adoption is evaluated quantitatively. The campaign took place in Sweden in 2017 and was directed towards homeowners. 41% of all Swedish municipalities participated, creating a ‘treatment’ and a ‘control’ group. As dependent variables, we used applications and approvals for a nation-wide PV subsidy scheme. Few Swedish PV installations have historically occurred outside of the subsidy scheme, which is quite accessible and offers a substantial rebate. Thus, the data were assumed to correspond well with actual installations. Hierarchical linear regression, with a set of control variables, was used. We found that campaign participation was associated with a 29% increase in submitted and approved subsidy applications. Thus, we conclude that the information campaign had a significantly positive effect on PV adoption rates, and that policy makers in other countries with limited PV penetration could launch similar campaigns to elevate PV adoption rates.

Diffusion of innovations

Campaign

Technology adoption

Information

Regression analysis

Solar PV

Author

Alvar Palm

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Innovation and R&D Management

Björn Lantz

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Innovation and R&D Management

Energy Policy

0301-4215 (ISSN)

Vol. 142 July 111540

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Environmental Engineering

Areas of Advance

Energy

DOI

10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111540

More information

Latest update

6/15/2020