An intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South Africa
Abstract Background Solar photovoltaic technology is one of the promising renewable energy solutions of the twenty-first century. It successfully provides electricity to industries, homes and even the transport sector. The decreasing prices of solar modules from 2010 have made Solar Home Systems Tec...
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00493-w |
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| author | Ranganai Chidembo Joseph Francis Simbarashe Kativhu |
| author_facet | Ranganai Chidembo Joseph Francis Simbarashe Kativhu |
| author_sort | Ranganai Chidembo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Solar photovoltaic technology is one of the promising renewable energy solutions of the twenty-first century. It successfully provides electricity to industries, homes and even the transport sector. The decreasing prices of solar modules from 2010 have made Solar Home Systems Technology (SHST) increasingly attractive compared to other renewable energy technologies. Paradoxically, in rural communities of South Africa the usage of SHS remains low. Households continue to rely on unclean energy sources such as firewood for cooking and water heating. Previous efforts to electrify rural communities with SHS have failed considerably. Thus, a comprehensive study was conducted in the Vhembe District, encompassing three villages, to explore this issue and develop a contextualised solution using a behavioural change model. A 35-item questionnaire was randomly administered to 310 households to understand the factors that contribute to the low adoption rate of SHS technology. The data gathered were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics and Amos version 28. Confirmatory factor analysis and hypothesis testing were employed as the principal statistical methods. Results A 12-item model with five distinct factors consolidated into a single measurement model was revealed. All standardised factor loadings exceeded 0.7. Composite reliability values (CR) were above 0.8 and higher than MaxR(H) values, indicating the model’s reliability. Among the five factors influencing SHS adoption (perceived behavioural control, attitude, intention, trust, and subjective norms), only trust and attitude significantly impacted the intention to adopt SHS in the district (P < 0.05). Based on these findings, the conceptualised structural model reflected SHS adoption as determined by the integration of the technology’s social, technical and policy factors. Because of this, this should be regarded as a true reflection of the practical and behavioural intentions of local communities. Moreover, in this paper the barriers hindering SHS adoption are explained, emphasising the significance of attitude and trust. Highlights of policy imperatives are included together with a proposal for a contextual framework, and the way of promoting sustainable solutions. Emphasis is placed on the importance of scaling up renewable energy access. Conclusions This research provides a compelling academic exploration of the barriers to the adoption of SHS, the influential role of attitudes and trust, policy considerations, a contextual framework, and the need for promoting sustainable solutions and expanding access to renewable energy. The South African government should lead a change in how solar PV is deployed, considering its social impact, associated technical skills and policy support. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b1d9168ad7df489e8387db5faa47df3d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2192-0567 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| spelling | doaj-art-b1d9168ad7df489e8387db5faa47df3d2025-08-20T01:57:19ZengBMCEnergy, Sustainability and Society2192-05672024-12-0114111110.1186/s13705-024-00493-wAn intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South AfricaRanganai Chidembo0Joseph Francis1Simbarashe Kativhu2Faculty of Science, Engineering & Agriculture, Institute for Rural DevelopmentFaculty of Science, Engineering & Agriculture, Institute for Rural DevelopmentFaculty of Science, Engineering & Agriculture, Institute for Rural DevelopmentAbstract Background Solar photovoltaic technology is one of the promising renewable energy solutions of the twenty-first century. It successfully provides electricity to industries, homes and even the transport sector. The decreasing prices of solar modules from 2010 have made Solar Home Systems Technology (SHST) increasingly attractive compared to other renewable energy technologies. Paradoxically, in rural communities of South Africa the usage of SHS remains low. Households continue to rely on unclean energy sources such as firewood for cooking and water heating. Previous efforts to electrify rural communities with SHS have failed considerably. Thus, a comprehensive study was conducted in the Vhembe District, encompassing three villages, to explore this issue and develop a contextualised solution using a behavioural change model. A 35-item questionnaire was randomly administered to 310 households to understand the factors that contribute to the low adoption rate of SHS technology. The data gathered were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics and Amos version 28. Confirmatory factor analysis and hypothesis testing were employed as the principal statistical methods. Results A 12-item model with five distinct factors consolidated into a single measurement model was revealed. All standardised factor loadings exceeded 0.7. Composite reliability values (CR) were above 0.8 and higher than MaxR(H) values, indicating the model’s reliability. Among the five factors influencing SHS adoption (perceived behavioural control, attitude, intention, trust, and subjective norms), only trust and attitude significantly impacted the intention to adopt SHS in the district (P < 0.05). Based on these findings, the conceptualised structural model reflected SHS adoption as determined by the integration of the technology’s social, technical and policy factors. Because of this, this should be regarded as a true reflection of the practical and behavioural intentions of local communities. Moreover, in this paper the barriers hindering SHS adoption are explained, emphasising the significance of attitude and trust. Highlights of policy imperatives are included together with a proposal for a contextual framework, and the way of promoting sustainable solutions. Emphasis is placed on the importance of scaling up renewable energy access. Conclusions This research provides a compelling academic exploration of the barriers to the adoption of SHS, the influential role of attitudes and trust, policy considerations, a contextual framework, and the need for promoting sustainable solutions and expanding access to renewable energy. The South African government should lead a change in how solar PV is deployed, considering its social impact, associated technical skills and policy support.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00493-wIntentionSolar home system (SHS)Solar home system uptakeSolar home system adoption interventionsPlanned behaviour |
| spellingShingle | Ranganai Chidembo Joseph Francis Simbarashe Kativhu An intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South Africa Energy, Sustainability and Society Intention Solar home system (SHS) Solar home system uptake Solar home system adoption interventions Planned behaviour |
| title | An intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South Africa |
| title_full | An intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | An intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | An intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South Africa |
| title_short | An intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural Vhembe district, South Africa |
| title_sort | intervention framework for the adoption of solar home system technology in rural vhembe district south africa |
| topic | Intention Solar home system (SHS) Solar home system uptake Solar home system adoption interventions Planned behaviour |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00493-w |
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