A scoping review of adopter attributes, motivations, and barriers of solar home systems adoption: Lessons for sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The diffusion of solar home systems in sub-Saharan Africa would reduce the prevalent energy poverty in the region. However, the adoption of solar home systems faces significant barriers that have hampered the adoption process. This paper presents a scoping review that investigates non-institutional factors influencing the Solar Home Systems diffusion process. The study searched three databases, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Web of Science, for conference papers and journal articles that focused on barriers and motivations for adopting solar home systems. The search produced 116 records. After applying the exclusion criteria, 14 papers were included in the thematic analysis. The analysis revealed that affordability and inadequate information on solar home systems are significant barriers to adoption. The analysis further showed that solar home system adopters, typically highly skilled and educated high-income individuals, are motivated by the peer effect, energy security and independence, monetary saving and desire to protect the environment. Finally, the findings suggest that government intervention is essential for the widespread diffusion of solar home systems in sub-Saharan Africa.