Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone has or knows of any research or studies that have been done looking at what the barriers may be and surely the benefits as well of installing residential solar PV systems. Essentially, why aren't more people installing solar systems and why should they be?
I'm hoping to build on the information provided in an old thread (http://www.cbsm.com/forums/index.lasso?p=5923) perhaps with any new information and contributions that may be out there. Any first- or second-hand experience with solar PV programs may also be useful.
Thanks!
Danielle Woon
Canada
Barriers & Benefits Residential Solar PV Systems
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I was a co-author of a Solar Plan for the City of Ann Arbor (Michigan). I specifically added a section on barriers to solar, which can be found on page 9. They ones we listed are broad (and may not be the type of CBSM barriers you are seeking), but here they are:
A. Regulations and Permitting
B. Cost - Economic Considerations, Cost, and Return On Investment
C. Financing
D. Siting and Aesthetic Issues
E. Lack of Solar Knowledge
We used these barriers and an analysis of the gap between best practices and local practices to create create eight recommendations for how to increase solar adoption in the City of Ann Arbor.
http://www.a2gov.org/government/publicservices/systems_planning/energy/solarcities/Documents/Final_Solar_Plan_4-9-10.pdf
Lisa Dugdale
United States
To: Danielle Woon,
I too authored a report for private enterprise back in 2001 on Solar PV systems (as did Lisa Dugdale.) Included in the system design were back-up and 110/220 Volt AC inverter capabilities.
Most people I surveyed in 2004 didn't know what was meant by a solar panel, alternative energy, wind turbines; nor did they know what an off-grid system was. They thought that the cost (over $100,000.00 for a meaningful system with reverse power metering) was excessive. By far the greatest barrier to PV, whether they knew what it was or not.
Donald Costin Chilliwack, BC
I would like to hear from you.
[email protected]
Donald Costin
President
AC Innovations
Canada
Hi Danielle,
I don't know of any studies but from personal experience I can tell you that the cost is a huge barrier. Even with state and federal rebates from the government doing a PV or hot water system is beyond our ability right now. Part of the reason for us is that we built a super-insulated, Energy-star certified house. It is so efficient that the payback on our investment of a PV system would be about 30 years, because our utility use is so low currently. How ironic! We'd love to be completely free of fossil fuel use, but the systems need to get more efficient and affordable for us to make the break.
Good luck with your search.
Ruth Smith, Canterbury NH USA
Ruth Smith
United States
When I worked in Kathmandu, Nepal, solar heaters for household water were the norm. They were cheap to install and it was easy to find a local business that could do it. I have just checked the Nepal Yellow Pages. Here are some examples http://www.nepalhomepage.com/yellowpages/yellowpages.php?ycatid=978.
Steve Gorzula
United States
Heather,
Is the PACE program in a difficult state at this time with possible lack or elimination of funding?
I am looking forward to reviewing your paper. Thanks for posting it.
Patrick McGinley
Owner
Mingary Agrian
United States
Patrick,
I hope you enjoy the paper and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Also with respect to the PACE funding, there seems to be quite a bit of information on what is happening with the program on the www.pacenow.org website.
Thanks,
Heather Squires
Sustainability Associate
United States
Hi danielle,
The barriers to building in solar panel are based on the cost, Solar knowledge and its principles, city regulations about building alternative energy, and financing.
Our team had used these barriers and analysis to generate a recommendations on solar usage in many of our projects
Mark Byrd
United States
...
Danielle,
I have attached the paper I completed for my Master's degree, entitled, "Consumer Choices on Household Solar Rooftop Systems." My references page should provide you with many articles for your research. Additionally, I believe because we have become a mobile society (maybe not so much currently due to the economy...), people do not want to invest in a project when they might be moving in a couple of years. This being said, the PACE concept(www.pacenow.org), may significantly raise the installation rate of solar. Hope this helps and good luck.
Heather Squires
Sustainability Associate
United States