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Knowledge and adoption of solar home systems in rural Nicaragua

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  • Rebane, Kaja L.
  • Barham, Bradford L.

Abstract

Solar home systems (SHSs) are a promising electrification option for many households in the developing world. In most countries SHSs are at an early stage of dissemination, and thus face a hurdle common to many emerging alternative energy technologies: many people do not know enough about them to decide whether to adopt one or not. This study uses survey data collected in Nicaragua to investigate characteristics that predict the knowledge and adoption of SHSs among the rural population. First, a series of probit models is used to model the determinants of four measures of SHS knowledge. Next, a biprobit model with sample selection is employed to investigate the factors that predict SHS adoption, conditional on having sufficient knowledge to make an adoption decision. Comparison of the biprobit formulation to a standard probit model of adoption affirms its value. This study identifies multiple determinants of SHS knowledge and adoption, offers several practical recommendations to project planners, and provides an analytical framework for future work in this policy-relevant area.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebane, Kaja L. & Barham, Bradford L., 2011. "Knowledge and adoption of solar home systems in rural Nicaragua," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3064-3075, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:39:y:2011:i:6:p:3064-3075
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    2. Samad, Hussain A. & Khandk, Shahidur R. & Asaduzzaman, M. & Yunus, Mohammad, 2013. "The benefits of solar home systems :an analysis from Bangladesh," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6724, The World Bank.
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    8. Yaqoot, Mohammed & Diwan, Parag & Kandpal, Tara C., 2016. "Review of barriers to the dissemination of decentralized renewable energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 477-490.
    9. Karakaya, Emrah & Sriwannawit, Pranpreya, 2015. "Barriers to the adoption of photovoltaic systems: The state of the art," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 60-66.
    10. Popp, David, 2012. "The role of technological change in green growth," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6239, The World Bank.
    11. Aklin, M. & Bayer, P. & Harish, S.P. & Urpelainen, J., 2018. "Economics of household technology adoption in developing countries: Evidence from solar technology adoption in rural India," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 35-46.
    12. Fang, Yiping & Wei, Yanqiang, 2013. "Climate change adaptation on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau: The importance of solar energy utilization for rural household," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 508-518.
    13. Schillebeeckx, Simon J.D. & Parikh, Priti & Bansal, Rahul & George, Gerard, 2012. "An integrated framework for rural electrification: Adopting a user-centric approach to business model development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 687-697.
    14. Sharma, Rohit & Choudhary, Deepak & Shiradkar, Sayli & Kumar, Praveen & Venkateswaran, Jayendran & Solanki, Chetan Singh & Yadama, Gautam N., 2021. "Who is willing to pay for solar lamps in rural India? A longitudinal study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    15. Baral, Nabin, 2018. "What socio-demographic characteristics predict knowledge of biofuels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 369-376.
    16. Urpelainen, Johannes & Yoon, Semee, 2017. "Can product demonstrations create markets for sustainable energy technology? A randomized controlled trial in rural India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 666-675.
    17. Thipnapa Huansuriya & Kris Ariyabuddhiphongs, 2023. "Predicting Residential Photovoltaic Adoption Intention of Potential Prosumers in Thailand: A Theory of Planned Behavior Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-20, August.
    18. Pranpreya Sriwannawita & Staffan Laestadiusb, 2015. "Determinants of the Diffusion of Solar Home Systems: Case Study among Low-Income Inhabitants in Bangladesh," Energy & Environment, , vol. 26(5), pages 803-816, September.
    19. David Popp, 2012. "The Role of Technological Change in Green Growth," NBER Working Papers 18506, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    20. Bodas-Freitas, Isabel-Maria & Corrocher, Nicoletta, 2019. "The use of external support and the benefits of the adoption of resource efficiency practices: An empirical analysis of european SMEs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 75-82.
    21. Urpelainen, Johannes, 2016. "Energy poverty and perceptions of solar power in marginalized communities: Survey evidence from Uttar Pradesh, India," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 534-539.
    22. Jashim Uddin Ahmed & Niza Talukder & Asma Ahmed, 2020. "Infrastructure Development Company Limited Solar Home System Program: A Sustainable Solution for Energizing Rural Bangladesh," South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, , vol. 9(2), pages 219-236, August.
    23. Tinta, Abdoulganiour Almame & Sylla, Ahmed Yves & Lankouande, Edmond, 2023. "Solar PV adoption in rural Burkina Faso," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    24. Zhang, Nan & Hwang, Bon-Gang & Lu, Yujie & Ngo, Jasmine, 2022. "A Behavior theory integrated ANN analytical approach for understanding households adoption decisions of residential photovoltaic (RPV) system," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).

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