Social and Technical Determinants and Perceived Environmental Benefits of Household Solar Energy Adoption in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Household solar energy represents an important pathway for improving energy security and reducing dependence on fossil-fuel-based electricity generation in Nigeria. However, adoption is influenced by interacting social, technical, economic and institutional factors. This study assessed the social and technical determinants of household solar-energy adoption and perceived environmental benefits among households in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted using a multistage sampling procedure. Of 320 questionnaires administered, 286 valid responses were analysed, representing an 89.4% valid-response rate. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported, with statistical significance set at p < .05. Community acceptance recorded the highest level of social influence (60.5%), followed by visible use of solar systems by neighbours (58.0%) and influence from friends and relatives (54.9%). Among technical factors, 48.6% of respondents agreed that solar systems were reliable, whereas 57.7% indicated that maintenance requirements discouraged adoption. Perceived environmental benefits were high, particularly reduced noise pollution (82.6%), environmental sustainability (79.8%), reduced generator emissions (78.0%), reduced air pollution (76.6%), and reduced fossil-fuel dependence (73.4%). Binary logistic regression showed that community acceptance (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI [1.24, 2.28]), system reliability (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.18, 2.14]), neighbour/peer influence (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI [1.13, 2.02]), friends/relatives' influence (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI [1.12, 1.94]), social-network influence (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.03, 1.77]), battery performance (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI [1.05, 1.84]), and technician availability (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.13, 2.03]) were positively associated with adoption. Maintenance concerns were negatively associated with adoption (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI [0.52, 0.89]), while technical ease of IJEMT use was not statistically significant (p = .054). The overall regression model was statistically significant (χ2(9) = 68.40, p < .001; Nagelkerke R2 = .312) and correctly classified 76.6% of cases. The findings indicate that household solar-energy adoption in Onne is associated with social acceptance, interpersonal influence, system reliability and technical support. Although households strongly perceive solar energy as environmentally beneficial, perceived environmental advantages alone may not overcome technical and maintenance barriers. Interventions should therefore combine accessible financing with reliable solar technology, qualified local technicians, effective after-sales services and community-based promotion.

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