The intention of households in the Daklak province to instal smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems

• Published in: Energy, sustainability and society sustainability and society, 2021-07, Vol.11 (1), p.1-27, Article 22
• Main Authors: Lan, Tran Thi, Jirakiattikul, Sopin, Niem, Le Duc, Techato, Kuaanan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative energy; Alternative energy sources; Central Highlands; Economics and Management; Electric power; Electricity; Electricity consumption; Energy; Energy Policy; Highlands; Household; Households; Incentives; Intention; Original Article; Photovoltaic cells; Questionnaires; Renewable and Green Energy; Rooftop solar; Smart grid; Solar power; Sustainable Development; Vietnam; Willingness to pay
• ISSN: 2192-0567; 2192-0567
• DOI: 10.1186/s13705-021-00297-2

Background Smart grid rooftop solar electricity is a useful power resource and a viable alternative to conventionally generated energy. In the context of Vietnam, it could help people control their own source of electrical power and reduce power outages. This problem is expected to worsen in the future. Previous studies have shown that very few smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems have been installed by households in the Daklak Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and that as of 30th May 2019, only 18 out of 435,688 households had installed such a system. Moreover, only a small number of people knew about this resource. Method Based on previous investigations, this study proposed a research model that includes factors, which might affect the intention to instal smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems. However, the amount of money that people would be willing to pay (WTP) for the installation of such systems depends on their current electricity consumption. Therefore, to investigate this issue, a questionnaire was developed to survey 300 households in the Daklak Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. A probit binary model was used to analyse the collected data from the questionnaire for this study. Results After interviewing the respondents from the 300 households in the research area and introducing into the concept and benefits of the smart grid solar electricity generating systems, they were more aware and knowledgeable of the concept. Thirty-three percent of households mentioned that they intended to instal such a system and were willing to pay between USD 1240 and USD 2220 for an appropriate-sized system based on their current electricity consumption and needs. Those households that possessed a high awareness of smart grid rooftop solar power were more likely to express the intention to instal such a system. However, it was also revealed that government incentives and household attitudes were important factors that influence the intention to instal such a system. In contrast, factors such as environmental concerns and the innovativeness of households were less influential. Conclusion The awareness and understanding of the 309 households surveyed in this study regarding smart grid rooftop solar electricity systems and government incentives were the leading factors that affected the people’s intention to instal such systems. The majority of the respondents were willing to pay between USD 1240 and USD 2220 for installing suc