Title:	Social Networks and Digital Gamification for Solar Literacy and Photovoltaic Communities
Author(s):	S.R. Freitas, M.J. Rodrigues
Topic:	Finance, Markets and Policies
Subtopic:	Policies and Scenarios for Renewables, Societal and Global Challenges
Event:	38th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	7EP.1.4
ISBN:	3-936338-78-7
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	presentation

Abstract/Summary:

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The sun of Lisbon is one of its most important endogenous resources, being the third sunniest capital city in Europe. It is then surprising how excited we feel whenever we spot a photovoltaic system in the city – as of September 2018, only 4 MW cumulative installed capacity has been officially registered, a drop in the ocean when compared to the 4,5 GW estimated theoretical potential. Despite the abundant resource, great technological advances, price drops of the systems and a favourable regulatory environment, photovoltaics is still not playing a significant role in the city's energy transition, reflecting low levels of awareness and education regarding solar electricity and its advantages. Reaching out to overcome these barriers, we recur methodologically to the framework set out in the theory of the diffusion of innovations, while adapting to modern and digital times, and design a communication, education and dissemination strategy that reaches the 3 fundamental steps in the adoption of a technological novelty: 1) willingness to know about it, 2) willingness to adopt it, and finally 3) willingness to invest in it! Our answer to the challenge is called SOLIS, whose main objectives are to unveil the potential of solar electricity production in the city, to increase solar energy literacy of citizens and technicians, and to encourage the adoption of solar photovoltaic technology. Through educational and informative content, we aim to demystify erroneous perceptions and foster a spirit of solar citizenship towards a solar energy community - a paramount milestone that will help to achieve over 100 MW of PV installed in the city, the 2030 goal set out in Lisbon Cidade Solar®, the solar strategy of Lisbon. This will of course contribute to the energy transition and carbon neutrality in the city by 2050, a vision set out in Lisbon’s Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan, under the Covenant of Mayors, and in its Climate Action Plan, under C40.