Applying User-Perceived Value to Determine Motivators of Electricity Use in a Solar Photovoltaic Implementation in a Philippine Island

Abstract

The most practical solution for over 70% of the world’s unelectrified population is decentralized electrification, usually with renewable energy integration. The sustainability of these systems has been a central issue with studies looking at its multidimensional nature. However, perhaps the most overlooked aspect is the ability of the consumers to proactively use electricity. This paper addresses this urgent need to understand not just the sustainability from exogenous factors but, more importantly, from the factors that motivate the end-users to consume electricity. Applying the concept of user-perceived value (UPV) in electrification, a proposed multidimensional assessment framework, consisting of 12 motivators, was grouped according to UPV categories. Using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, 29 beneficiaries in Gilutongan Island, Cordova, Cebu, Philippines, were asked to evaluate their motivation to consume electricity, six months after they were provided with increased electricity access through a 7.92 kWp solar photovoltaic installation. Analysis showed that the households regarded 9 of the 12 factors as moderate to strong motivators, with better social standing compared to other households without electricity and the ability to engage in productive uses of electricity emerging as the strongest influencers. The proposed framework is deemed beneficial to policy-makers to pragmatically understand what drives rural households to proactively consume electricity and implement developments and policies to stimulate an increase in demand.

Off-Grid Electrification Using Renewable Energy in the Philippines: A Comprehensive Review

“…Structural equation analysis (SEM) was used by Supapo et al to analyze unobserved latent socio-economic variable relationships with electricity consumption and appliance ownership [75] while an exploratory analysis using Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression was used by Reyes and Quevedo [76]. In another study, Lozano and Taboada used user-perceived value to determine the primary motivators that drive consumer electricity usage generated from solar photovoltaics [77]. Lastly, a few studies have examined the environmental and social impacts of small-scale generation systems using the real-life experience approach [78] and the life cycle impact assessment method [22].…”

“…In the case of the corpus of studies available on Philippine off-grid electrification, only a few papers have looked at the status of built RE systems in the country, with the majority focusing on the systems of Pangan-an Island in Cebu and Cobrador Island in Romblon. The documentation of the effects of renewable electrification on these communities is primarily led by Bertheau et al [72,87] and Lozano, et al [5,69,71,77] and can cover the HRES-community system as a socio-technical assembly. Papers on post-implementation analysis of HRES in a community were found mostly from the case study and policy analyses group, and with a single paper from the technology layout and components group.…”

“…However, Cobrador Island's decision to use renewables in its energy mix allowed the island to use more electricity and to engage with income-generating activities that promote PUE, compared to diesel-powered Gilutongan Island, which has fewer options in appliance electricity usage and has fewer electrified hours. It should be noted that the ability to engage with productive uses of electricity is the strongest motivator for the beneficiaries to consume electricity [77]. Examples of PUEs in the corpus of paper are refrigeration for vending and storing fish products, potable water production from desalination, and power line communication to provide increased access to telecommu-nications and information [69].…”