Householders’ Perspective on Photovoltaic Application in Thailand

Abstract: This study aims to explore householders’ perspective on photovoltaic application in Thailand using surveys which are distributed in a study area, Khon Kaen. The target groups are residents older than 15 years old who live in an urbanized area. There were no limitations for gender, level of income or education and living region in the study area. The purpose of this is to obtain different perspectives from different groups of people. The questions in the survey are designed to find out if solar home system interests those surveyed and what reasons they have to support their decision. The results show that 1) most of the householders are interested in adopting this technology and said ‘yes’, mainly because of environmental advantages although there are some barriers that block their access to this technology 2) some of them are considering it and answered ‘maybe’ but would change their answer to ‘yes’ if the technology would improve according to their conditions 3) few of them said ‘no’ and indicated financial reasons as the main barrier. When relating respondents’ answers to environmental awareness, it is shown that all of them provide a similar definition of ‘environment’. They also rate themselves quite high when it comes to environmental awareness. However, their answers about the solar home system depend on other issues that, in their perception, are more important than the environment.