Household Perceptions of Renewable Energy Adoption in Response to the Rise of Residential Electricity Demand in Thailand

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand

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Abstract

The pandemic changed the lifestyle of people to more online approaches. This results in more electricity demand that requires effective management. The rising demand urges governments worldwide to consider renewable energy for electricity generation to minimize environmental impacts and global warming issues. This study utilizes the systematic review to extract key factors affecting households' adoption of renewable energy in response to the rise of residential electricity demand in Thailand. The best-worst method is performed to determine the important weights of key factors so that the Thai government can establish suitable plans to enhance the adoption. The analysis results reveal that economic-related factors, including investment cost, operating cost, and financial incentives, are top-ranked for households when making adoption decisions. Specifically, the investment cost of renewable energy like solar power and biomass in Thailand is high compared with many Asian countries. The operating and maintenance costs are also high due to limited technology and skills. It is suggested that the government promote campaigns related to renewable energy, like solar power and biomass, to enhance the adoption rate and achieve the country's green targets.