Social Networks and Renewable Energy Technology Adoption: Empirical Evidence from Biogas Adoption in China

He Pan (), Stefania Lovo and Marcella Veronesi
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He Pan: The West Center for Economics Research, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China

No em-dp2021-19, Economics Discussion Papers from Department of Economics, University of Reading

Abstract: We provide novel empirical evidence on the association between social networks and the adoption of renewable energy technology. We distinguish between two main transmission mechanisms through which social networks can affect renewable energy technology adoption: information diffusion and social influence. Using data primarily collected from rural China on biogas adoption, we find that both mechanisms are at work. In addition, we find that information spreads through trusted network members, such as friends and family, while social influence is mainly exercised by government officials. Government officials are more likely to promote the adoption of technology by leading by example rather than by spreading information.

Keywords: Social networks; social influence; information diffusion; renewable energy; biogas; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 O33 Q16 Q42 Q55 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2021-11-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cna, nep-ene, nep-env, nep-net and nep-pay
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Journal Article: Social networks and renewable energy technology adoption: Empirical evidence from biogas adoption in China (2022)
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