Green energy pathways: differing perspectives to green energy transitions among homeowners

Abstract

The ostensible gravity of rapidly increasing the numbers of homeowners producing green electricity and heat energy in their homes cannot be overlooked for sustainability. However, there is a dearth of research on the existence of barriers to, and the drivers for energy switching among South African households. Thus, this article explored the reasons for the adoption and non-adoption of renewable energy technologies by examining the motivations for, as well as the barriers to the installation or retrofitting of the microgeneration technologies in KwaZulu-Natal a province of South Africa. The purposive sampling approach was used to collect data from 19 university academics through semi-structured interviews. The data were interpreted through content and descriptive analysis. The findings of the study indicated several reasons why house owners are motivated to adopt microgeneration technologies and this included self-sufficiency, saving on energy costs, the desire to protect the environment. On the other hand, the house owners put forward the following reasons for not adopting: high initial costs, lack of adequate information about the technologies, as well as the perceived complexity of the procurement process. These findings are essential for policy makers and other stakeholders, when developing policies and strategies to heighten the adoption rate of microgeneration. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the adoption process of the microgeneration should be well coordinated.