Collective action without community? Perspectives from project developers and participants in citizen-financed photovoltaic projects

Abstract

Citizen participation and photovoltaics (PV) are increasingly important as energy systems transition towards decentralization and sustainability. However, tenants, low-income groups, and homeowners with unsuitable roofs are often excluded from investing in PV systems. Citizen-financed photovoltaic (CiFi PV) projects offer a more inclusive approach by collectively financing large-scale solar installations. This study explores and compiles the various motivational factors that underlie CiFi PV participation and compares the prevalence of these factors among participants and project developers. By combining the two perspectives for the first time, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the motivations behind CiFi PV participation. Based on 32 interviews across multiple Swiss CiFi PV projects, we identify 27 motivations categorized into seven overarching themes. The most prevalent factor for both groups is the opportunity for citizens to individually contribute to solar power deployment through tangible projects aligned with their values. While most motivational factors are relevant for both groups, a few are more prevalent among participants, such as the opportunity to use liquid assets, becoming a role model, and proving solar power viable and profitable. While CiFi PV projects are often studied from an energy community perspective, our results show that interviewees value collective action through individual contributions without explicitly referring to community-related aspects. We thus suggest that CiFi PV projects represent a manifestation of energy citizenship. To promote CiFi PV projects and their potential to engage various kinds of individuals, policymakers should expand regulatory frameworks focused solely on community projects to support individual participation in the energy transition. • We explore motivations for participating in citizen-financed (CiFi) PV projects. • There exists a wide range of motivational factors that match among participants and project developers. • Drivers of CiFi PV participation are based on collective rather than community action. • We suggest that CiFi PV projects are a manifestation of energy citizenship. • Policymakers must go beyond energy community regulations to promote CiFi PV.