Intention to Use Renewable Energy: Mediating role of Attitude

Abstract

Acceptance of renewable energy is influenced by attitude of the users towards new technology. Lack of research on renewable energy in emerging countries and drive for switching to alternative energy urge for studies on attitude of the users’ towards renewable energy adoption. This study investigates perception towards renewable energy use in Malaysia. A survey over 200 respondents from Klang-valley area was analysed using exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. Five factors emerged from factor analysis are relative advantage, perceived behavioural control, ease of use, awareness and benefit-cost trade-off. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the explanatory power of these five factors while predicting intention to use renewable energy. The analysis showed that relative advantage and perceived behavioural controls positively mediate attitude towards renewable energy and attitude positively mediates intention to use. However, ease of use, benefit-cost trade-off and awareness positively but directly influence intention to use renewable energy. Study contributes to the literatures on social barriers of renewable energy in emerging nations and theory of planned behaviour. It contributes to existing policy initiative taken by government to enhance the use of renewable energy in Malaysia.