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Renewable energy adoption in an ageing population: Heterogeneity in preferences for micro-generation technology adoption

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Ken Willis, Riccardo Scarpa, Professor Rose Gilroy, Professor Neveen Hamza

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Abstract

Many countries are endeavouring to supply more of their energy from renewable resources. Such countries are also experiencing an aging population with a greater proportion of people aged ≥65 years. This demographic shift may reduce the uptake of renewable energy, if older person households are less inclined to accept change and adopt new technologies. This paper assesses whether such households have different behavioural responses to energy efficiency compared to the rest of society and investigates whether micro-generation renewable energy technologies are less likely to be adopted by these households. It uses conditional logit and mixed logit models to investigate the impact of age of household on primary heating adoption, and also to assess the impact of older households on the installation of discretionary micro-generation technologies (solar thermal, solar voltaic, and wind power) to supplement existing heating and lighting systems. Results indicate that primary heating choice is not affected but that older person households are less inclined to adopt micro-generation technologies.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Willis K, Scarpa R, Gilroy R, Hamza N

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Energy Policy

Year: 2011

Volume: 39

Issue: 10

Pages: 6021-6029

Print publication date: 23/07/2011

ISSN (print): 0301-4215

ISSN (electronic): 1873-6777

Publisher: Pergamon

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.06.066

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.06.066

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