The Rise of Solar Energy Solar energy has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with its share of global electricity production increasing from 0.15% in 2010 to over 4.52% in 2022. This unexpected success has surprised both skeptics and advocates alike, as solar is now considered the cheapest way to generate electricity.
"Diffusion of Innovations" and Solar Adoption "Diffusion of Innovations" theory explains the adoption curve that technologies go through, including solar power generation. The concept was first introduced by Thomas Kuhn's "paradigm shift," followed by Everett Rogers' research on hybrid seed corn adoption patterns. Over time, these curves have become steeper as technology advances at a faster pace.
Solar's Price Drops and Adoption Challenges Despite high hopes, solar energy surpassed expectations in terms of installed capacity. The cost of photovoltaics has significantly decreased over the years, making it more affordable for consumers. However, solar adoption has been hindered by its low relative advantage compared to traditional power sources and the high upfront costs associated with it.
'Critical Mass' and Incentives Driving Solar Adoption 'Critical mass' plays a crucial role in driving the widespread adoption of innovations like solar energy. When an innovation reaches critical mass, its spread becomes self-sustaining without needing additional efforts to promote it. Incentives have played a significant role in pushing solar towards critical mass by rewarding early adopters and encouraging renewable energy production.