Driving on sunshine: co-adoption of plug-in electric vehicles and solar panels
Date
2023
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
This research explores the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and rooftop solar panels (solar) within the same household, referred to as co-adoption. This thesis addresses the questions of what motivates households to co-adopt and what barriers currently prevent others from co-adopting or being interested in co-adopting. Through interviews with 30 households that were either co-adopters, PEV-only adopters, or solar-only adopters across the United States, this thesis produces new knowledge by gathering and analyzing conversations that focused on the co-adoption of PEVs and solar. Results suggest that motivations for co-adoption, at times, can be directional and intertwined so that one action sets the other adoption in motion. More often, the motivation revolves around decision-making patterns or recurring themes—indirect motivations—between the adoption stories of two technologies. Further, barriers to co-adoption start with single adopters experiencing the previously explored barriers to PEV or solar adoption, such as high capital costs and skepticism or concern about the state of technologies. Lesser explored barriers to co-adoption also were identified, such as non-incentives and substitutes to co-adoption. The findings from this qualitative study offer a foundation for future co-adoption research and insights into public actions (policy, education, clearing of barriers) that may lead to increases in co-adoption.
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Keywords
Plug-in electric vehicles, Solar panels, Co-adoption, Single adopters