Public Perceptions and Information Gaps in Solar Energy in Texas

Environmental Research Letters, 10, 074011, 2015

9 Pages Posted: 7 Aug 2015

See all articles by Varun Rai

Varun Rai

University of Texas at Austin - LBJ School of Public Affairs; University of Texas at Austin - Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering

Ariane Beck

University of Texas at Austin - Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

Date Written: July 17, 2015

Abstract

Studying the behavioral aspects of the individual decision-making process is important in identifying and addressing barriers in the adoption of residential solar photovoltaic (PV). However, there is little systematic research focusing on these aspects of residential PV in Texas, an important, large, populous state, with a range of challenges in the electricity sector including increasing demand, shrinking reserve margins, constrained water supply, and challenging emissions reduction targets under proposed federal regulations. This paper aims to address this gap through an empirical investigation of a new survey-based dataset collected in Texas on solar energy perceptions and behavior. The results of this analysis offer insights into the perceptions and motivations influencing intentions and behavior toward solar energy in a relatively untapped market and help identify information gaps that could be targeted to alleviate key barriers to adopting solar, thereby enabling significant emissions reductions in the residential sector in Texas.

Keywords: Solar PV, Residential Energy, Distributed Generation, Texas Emissions, Information Barriers, Technology Adoption, Decision-making

JEL Classification: C81, D11, D12, D81, D83, D91, Q20, Q42, M30

Suggested Citation

Rai, Varun and Beck, Ariane, Public Perceptions and Information Gaps in Solar Energy in Texas (July 17, 2015). Environmental Research Letters, 10, 074011, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2640280

Varun Rai (Contact Author)

University of Texas at Austin - LBJ School of Public Affairs ( email )

2300 Red River St., Stop E2700
PO Box Y
Austin, TX 78713
United States

University of Texas at Austin - Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering ( email )

United States

Ariane Beck

University of Texas at Austin - Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs ( email )

2300 Red River St., Stop E2700
PO Box Y
Austin, TX 78713
United States

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