Households’ adoption of distributed energy systems: The role of social interaction

Despite the widely recognized advantages of distributed energy systems (DES), their adoption rates remain unstable and uneven. One important reason for this is that the influence of social interactions on DES adoption behavior has been largely overlooked. To address this gap, this study integrates social interaction theory, perceived value theory, and dual-processing theory into a comprehensive framework. Through structural equation modeling and stepwise regression modeling, the study examines the multidimensional effects of social interaction and decision-making factors on DES adoption based on survey data from 1144 households. The results indicate that in the Resident-owned Mode, characterized by higher complexity and risk, interpersonal relationships have a stronger influence, while in the Leasing or Cooperative Modes, which rely on external support, institutional relationships play a more significant role. Active interaction is crucial for individual decision-making in the Leasing or Resident-owned Modes, whereas passive interaction drives collective decision-making in the Cooperative Mode. Heuristic processing negatively moderates various DES adoption behaviors, while analytic processing exerts a positive moderating effect in the Cooperative Mode. This study provides important insights for policymakers, highlighting the need to strategically leverage the positive impact of social interactions when designing interventions to promote DES adoption.