Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from Sweden
A new electricity-production concept attracted massive media attention in Sweden during 2008 when companies began marketing small-scale photovoltaic panels (PVs) and microwind turbines. The products were launched by their simplicity: the components are so easy to install that anyone can do it. How,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2011-05-01
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| Series: | Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://sspp.proquest.com/archives/vol7iss1/1001-006.palm.html |
| _version_ | 1818326065094852608 |
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| author | Jenny Palm Maria Tengvard |
| author_facet | Jenny Palm Maria Tengvard |
| author_sort | Jenny Palm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A new electricity-production concept attracted massive media attention in Sweden during 2008 when companies began marketing small-scale photovoltaic panels (PVs) and microwind turbines. The products were launched by their simplicity: the components are so easy to install that anyone can do it. How, then, do households perceive these products? Why would households choose to buy them? What do households think about producing their own electricity? Analysis of material from in-depth interviews with members of twenty households reveals that environmental concerns are the main motive for adopting PVs or microwind turbines. Some households have ecologically aware lifestyles and adoption represents a way to reduce fossil-fuel use. For others, this investment is symbolic and provides a way to display environmental consciousness or to set an example. For still others, adoption is a protest against “the system,” with its large dominant companies, or a step toward self-sufficiency. Moreover, some households reject these microgeneration installations because of financial considerations, respect for neighbors who might object, and/or difficulties finding an appropriate site. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T11:54:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-29b8bc3c40d341058adbb7d9a7955d69 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1548-7733 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T11:54:27Z |
| publishDate | 2011-05-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-29b8bc3c40d341058adbb7d9a7955d692022-12-21T23:47:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupSustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy1548-77332011-05-0171615Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from SwedenJenny PalmMaria TengvardA new electricity-production concept attracted massive media attention in Sweden during 2008 when companies began marketing small-scale photovoltaic panels (PVs) and microwind turbines. The products were launched by their simplicity: the components are so easy to install that anyone can do it. How, then, do households perceive these products? Why would households choose to buy them? What do households think about producing their own electricity? Analysis of material from in-depth interviews with members of twenty households reveals that environmental concerns are the main motive for adopting PVs or microwind turbines. Some households have ecologically aware lifestyles and adoption represents a way to reduce fossil-fuel use. For others, this investment is symbolic and provides a way to display environmental consciousness or to set an example. For still others, adoption is a protest against “the system,” with its large dominant companies, or a step toward self-sufficiency. Moreover, some households reject these microgeneration installations because of financial considerations, respect for neighbors who might object, and/or difficulties finding an appropriate site.http://sspp.proquest.com/archives/vol7iss1/1001-006.palm.htmlelectric power generationsolar cellswind energyelectrical equipmentenergy consumptionattitude measuresenvironmental awarenessrenewable energy resources |
| spellingShingle | Jenny Palm Maria Tengvard Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from Sweden Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy electric power generation solar cells wind energy electrical equipment energy consumption attitude measures environmental awareness renewable energy resources |
| title | Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from Sweden |
| title_full | Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from Sweden |
| title_fullStr | Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from Sweden |
| title_full_unstemmed | Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from Sweden |
| title_short | Motives for and barriers to household adoption of small-scale production of electricity: examples from Sweden |
| title_sort | motives for and barriers to household adoption of small scale production of electricity examples from sweden |
| topic | electric power generation solar cells wind energy electrical equipment energy consumption attitude measures environmental awareness renewable energy resources |
| url | http://sspp.proquest.com/archives/vol7iss1/1001-006.palm.html |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jennypalm motivesforandbarrierstohouseholdadoptionofsmallscaleproductionofelectricityexamplesfromsweden AT mariatengvard motivesforandbarrierstohouseholdadoptionofsmallscaleproductionofelectricityexamplesfromsweden |