Household installation of solar panels – Motives and barriers in a 10-year perspective

摘要

This article compares what homeowners identified as motives and barriers for installing photovoltaic panels in Sweden in 2008–2009 and in 2014–2016. Earlier research has provided snapshots of existing barriers and motives, but not analyzed changes over time, as is done here. Between 2008 and 2014, the PV market in Sweden changed profoundly, with the introduction of subsidies and changes in rules, making it easier for households to sell electricity they produce. At the same time, regulations have increased for the households. Environmental motives have been consistent over the years. Financial incentives had become an important motive by 2014–2016. The investment cost remained a barrier, even though it has been reduced over the years. New barriers in the second period are problems relating to increased administrative burden and finding information about market conditions such as which companies exist and how much a household will be paid when selling electricity to the grid. In 2008–2009, households installed the PV panels on their own and installation was a major barrier. This had changed radically by 2014–2016, when most of the households studied bought turnkey systems with installation included.