Barriers to the diffusion of clean energy communities : comparing early adopters and the general public

Kamin, Tanja (author), Golob, Urša (author), Kogovšek, Tina (author)

The transition to clean energy is at the heart of the European Union’s climate strategy, with citizen participation promoted as a key driver. Clean energy communities (CECs) are central to this vision, yet their uptake across Europe remains limited. This study provides a novel comparative perspective on perceived barriers to CEC participation by examining two distinct groups: current members (early adopters) and the general public (potential adopters). Using a cross-national mixed-methods approach, we integrate data from semi-structured interviews with CEC members and a representative survey of citizens in six European countries. The results show that awareness of CECs is generally low and that initiatives are still in the early stages of adoption. While interviewees highlighted regulatory complexity and institutional barriers, survey respondents were more likely to cite lack of awareness, knowledge gaps, and financial concerns. The findings reveal distinct patterns in perceived barriers across adopter groups and national contexts. To support broader engagement, we propose a dual strategy: addressing structural challenges through regulatory and policy reform, while strengthening targeted communication and outreach. We also highlight the role of early adopters as trusted messengers who can help bridge the gap between innovation and mainstream adoption.

• Language: English
• Keywords: clean energy community, energy transition, barriers, behaviour change, diffusion of innovations
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 1-20
• Numbering: Vol. 18, no. 9, art. 2248
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-169297
• UDC: 316.334
• ISSN on article: 1996-1073
• DOI: 10.3390/en18092248
• COBISS.SI-ID: 235434755
• Publication date in RUL: 22.05.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Energies
• Shortened title: Energies
• Publisher: Molecular Diversity Preservation International
• ISSN: 1996-1073
• COBISS.SI-ID: 518046745

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: skupnost za čisto energijo, energetski prehod, ovire, sprememba vedenja, difuzija inovacij

Projects

• Funder: EC - European Commission
• Funding programme: H2020
• Project number: 837752
• Name: New Clean Energy Communities in a Changing European Energy System (NEWCOMERS)
• Acronym: NEWCOMERS