Stage model of the process of solar photovoltaic adoption by residential households in the Philippines

Fourteen years have passed since the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 was enacted in the Philippines. Under the law, net-metering was implemented as a non-fiscal incentive mechanism to encourage residential households to switch to solar energy. Yet the majority of the country's residential households are still highly dependent on fossil fuels. This study investigates the process of solar photovoltaic adoption among 234 residential households in the Philippines using the stage model, which assumes adoption as a process of transition along three stages: no interest, under consideration, and installation. The study examines which barriers or drivers significantly contribute to the transition from 'having no interest' to 'under consideration', and ultimately, 'installation'. Results show that for households to strongly consider the adoption of solar panels, household decision-makers must know the benefit of having a reliable source of energy. Despite this, financial barriers and knowledge and informational barriers may deter households to install solar panels. Hence, a focus on return on investment and selling of excess energy may increase the likelihood of full adoption of solar panels among households. The results of the study may provide guidance for policy-making and the development of stage-tailored marketing strategies.