Exploring Residents' Attitudes toward Solar Photovoltaic System Adoption in China

Abstract

As the largest energy consuming country, China is facing environmental deterioration, which results from the overuse of non-renewable conventional energy such as coal. Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, an unlimited and clean energy with minimal impacts on the environment, is considered to be a good alternative to alleviate this severe issue. A survey was designed and conducted among residents in some major cities. Based on the first hand data, basic statistical methods were utilized to examine Chinese residents' knowledge of, concerns, and attitudes towards PV adoption. The research aims to identify the drivers and dynamics that most encourage customers to install solar PV systems in their residential buildings. The significant recommendations from the data include cost reduction, practical government incentives, lowering the percentage of fossil fuel usage, and education to increase awareness of solar PV systems.