Factors Influencing Social Perception of Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Saudi Arabia

摘要： Saudi Arabia has taken major steps to shift from an oil-centered to more environmentally-focused economy. One approach made recently is to enable households to possess and generate electricity by using small-scale residential solar photovoltaic systems (RSPSs). However, the number of applications to install this technology in residences is signi?cantly low. Social acceptance of solar energy is essential for a successful energy transition. Hence, the present study aims to examine factors that may potentially motivate or impede individuals from purchasing RSPSs based on the di?usion of innovations theory. A cross-sectional, web-based survey is conducted including 1498 participants from the ?ve main regions of Saudi Arabia. Results revealed a good cognition level in relation to solar energy, where the majority (64–83%) of respondents are aware of the bene?ts. An overwhelming proportion of the respondents (97%) associate RSPSs with a signi?cantly positive image, with no signi?cant variation in the acceptance or rejection rates among the ?ve areas covered by the survey (p = 0.1). The results also show high statistical signi?cance for the di?erences between RSPS acceptors and rejecters in all innovation attributes (p < 0.001). However, the perception of relative advantage has a higher correlation with acceptance RSPSs. These perceived advantages were of rather long-term non?nancial bene?ts, such as environmental protection against global warming and provision of unlimited power, rather than the revenue related to direct costs bene?ts. The study also revealed that the installation cost was the most signi?cant barrier to adopting the RSPS, which can be a focus for RSPS dissemination policies.