An Empirical Study of Renewable Energy Technology Acceptance in Ghana Using an Extended Technology Acceptance Model

Energy consumption, and its impact on the environment, has become an increased focal point in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country, following population growth and rapid urbanization. Ghana has high potential for renewable energy generation; nevertheless, low acceptance and usage have been found. An extensive study is required to understand the causes driving poor acceptability and the intentions to use renewable energy. This study aims to empirically investigate the acceptance of renewable energy using an extended technology acceptance model (TAM). A cross-sectional survey was conducted, from 1 February 2021 to 30 June 2021, using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey was carried out on Ghanaian adults of the age 18 years and above. Data was collected from 1068 respondents from Ghana's northern and southern parts and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software. The results of the data analysis reveal that environmental awareness is the biggest predictor of the intention to use renewable energy in Ghana. Perceived affordability was also found to be the most significant predictor of attitudes towards the use of renewable energy in Ghana. The findings of this research will give policymakers, manufacturers, and the providers of renewable energy appliances a better understanding of the factors that determine the intention to use renewable energy.

Automated summary

Energy consumption and its impact on the environment have become a focal point in Ghana due to population growth and rapid urbanization. Despite high potential for renewable energy generation, low acceptance and usage have been observed. This study, using an extended technology acceptance model, found that environmental awareness and perceived affordability are the most significant predictors of intention to use renewable energy in Ghana.