Testing Residential Solar Thermal Adoption

Abstract

Solar thermal is a viable technology that uses clean, renewable energy (the sun) to provide a primary heat source in homes. A combination of structural constraints and value-oriented motivators potentially influences solar thermal technology adoption. This study examines the extent to which solar thermal adoption correlates with structural or value-related factors through logistic regression modeling. Variables measuring socioeconomic circumstances, environmental concern, and ecological conditions are used to predict residential solar thermal technology adoption at the county level throughout the United States. This project provides insight regarding the role of structural and value-related factors, thus highlighting the significance of both structure and agency in explaining social change.