Photovoltaic panels diffusion in Switzerland: understanding adopters profiles using clustering methods

IF 5.7 2区经济学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions Pub Date : 2025-04-18 DOI:10.1016/j.eist.2025.100995

Pablo Martinez-Alcaraz , Gloria Serra-Coch , Maria Hecher , Claudia R. Binder

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The adoption of photovoltaic panels (PV) by households is essential to meet residential Swiss energy transition targets. While previous studies have mostly focused on the factors influencing PV adoption by comparing adopters with non-adopters, few have acknowledged the heterogeneity of adopters and examined how these factors interrelate and differ among them. This study examines how factors associated with PV adoption differ among groups of adopters, and how these differences relate to socio-demographic, household and building characteristics and the geographic context. In 2022, we surveyed 1300 Swiss PV adopters. To segment the adopters, we used factor analysis and clustering methods factors associated with PV adoption. This multi-dimensional approach revealed recommendations for supporting PV adoption: (i) seize opportunity windows, such as renovations, for professionals to act as change agents, (ii) leverage attitude towards energy-conscious behaviour and perceived control over the technology, and (iii) leverage social influence for vertical diffusion.

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来源期刊

Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions Energy-Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

CiteScore

13.60

自引率

19.40%

发文量

审稿时长

56 days

期刊介绍： Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions serves as a platform for reporting studies on innovations and socio-economic transitions aimed at fostering an environmentally sustainable economy, thereby addressing structural resource scarcity and environmental challenges, particularly those associated with fossil energy use and climate change. The journal focuses on various forms of innovation, including technological, organizational, economic, institutional, and political, as well as economy-wide and sectoral changes in areas such as energy, transport, agriculture, and water management. It endeavors to tackle complex questions concerning social, economic, behavioral-psychological, and political barriers and opportunities, along with their intricate interactions. With a multidisciplinary approach and methodological openness, the journal welcomes contributions from a wide array of disciplines within the social, environmental, and innovation sciences.