Bottom-up Initiatives for Photovoltaic: Incentives and Barriers

Abstract

When facing the challenge of restructuring the energy system, bottom-up initiatives can aid the diffusion of decentralized and clean energy technologies. We focused here on a bottom-up initiative of citizen-funded and citizen-operated photovoltaic power plants. The project follows a case study-based approach and examines two different community initiatives. The aim is to investigate the potential incentives and barriers relating to participation or non-participation in predefined community PV projects. Qualitative, as well as quantitative empirical research was used to examine the key factors in the further development of bottom-up initiatives as contributors to a general energy transition.

Keywords

• Photovoltaic adoption
• PV diffusion
• Community power plants
• Community renewables
• Renewable energy cooperatives
• Citizen engagement