Examining Public Attitudes Influencing Behavioural Intentions to Adopt Solar Energy Technologies (Sets) in Uganda

Abstract

This study analyses the influence of the different forms of attitudes on the behavioural intentions to adopt solar energy technologies-SETs in Uganda, particularly focusing on the nature of attitudes developed towards the different aspects of solar technologies. Although theoretically, attitudes are generally considered significant in influencing technology adoption, their impact varies with specificity, positivity, and strength, hence the need to examine the difference in attitudes towards the different aspects of solar energy technology. Using a survey of 360 households from three urban districts in Uganda and applying the Partial least square - Structural Equation Model (Pls-SEM), the study established that the general pro-technology attitudes do not influence behavioural intentions to adopt SETs. The results reveal that pro-environment attitudes and the specific attitudes derived from the expected relative advantage offered by particular solar applications are more significant factors in influencing behavioural intentions to adopt SETs. As such, increasing acceptance and usage of the SETs would require focusing policy and promotional campaigns on creating positive attitudes specific to particular applications, popularising specific uses of solar technologies, and dealing with the user and prospective users’ concerns related to those applications.

Keywords: Solar Energy Technologies (SETs), Attitudes, Intentions to Adopt, theory of planned behaviour, Uganda