Doctoral Dissertation Research: Solar Energy Adoption and Diffusion in Sri Lanka: An Analysis at Multiple Scales

Clark University, Worcester MA

Investigators

Abstract

This research examines solar energy technology diffusion in rural Sri Lanka, one of the fastest-growing solar energy markets in the World. Solar photovoltaic systems produce electricity without emitting the pollutants and climate-changing gases associated with electricity production by more pervasive fossil fuels, and are beginning to find a niche in rural areas in developing countries that do not have access to grid electricity. This research will discover the social, infrastructural, market-related, spatial and environmental factors that best explain why solar home systems (SHS) are being adopted quickly in some parts of the country, and more slowly in others. It is essential that we understand what factors most influence acceptance and adoption of sustainable energy technologies in different geographic contexts, in order to create more effective policies that better meet all peoples' need for efficient, reliable and environmentally-sound energy services. This project will also discover the factors that affect how different individuals: come to know about SHS; develop opinions of SHS; decide to adopt SHS; implement the decision to adopt SHS; re-evaluate their decision after adopting SHS; and are differently impacted-upon by adopting SHS or by the SHS adoption process within their community. Factors that will be investigated to explain variation in SHS adoption behavior and in the impacts of SHS adoption among different people include: characteristics of their personal social networks; the level of trust in their relationships and in their community; the behavioral norms and the strength of sanctions on behavior within their social network and in their community; their wealth class; their ethnicity; their gender; their occupation (or livelihood); their access to outside information; availability of the technology; and their access to low-interest loans that facilitate SHS purchase. Understanding the diverse adoption behaviors and experiences of the SHS adoption process among different types of people in a community will draw policy-makers attention to the fact that the diffusion of this innovation affects different people's lives in different ways. Energy service delivery programs and policies must therefore be crafted in light of detailed information at the personal level to ensure that all members of a community, especially those most disadvantaged, have access to and benefit from essential energy services. This NSF-funded research not only will produce knowledge that helps forward the interests of American companies active in Sri Lanka and other growing solar energy markets, but more importantly, it helps fulfill our responsibility to create opportunities that improve people's lives in a post-conflict state.