Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, and Social Pressure as Determinants of Solar PV Adoption among SMEs in Akinyele LGA, Oyo State

• Author(s): Musibau Adetunji Babatunde; Adebayo Nurudeen Durodola
• Paper ID: 1719381
• Page: 721-730
• Published Date: 08-07-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 10 Issue 1 July-2026
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719381

Abstract

This study examined the social and behavioral determinants of solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study employed a quantitative research design using structured questionnaires administered to SME operators. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the major social and behavioral factors influencing solar PV adoption. The results showed that the dataset was suitable for factor analysis with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of 0.744 and a significant Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (p < 0.05). The PCA extracted nine major components explaining 76.519% of the total variance. The identified determinants include environmental and cost awareness, peer and neighbour influence, knowledge and awareness of solar energy, social and stakeholder pressure, organizational and gender influence, educational influence, business cluster influence, financial planning for solar adoption, and technical capability and network influence. The findings revealed that peer influence, environmental awareness, and social pressure significantly shape SME solar PV adoption decisions. The study concludes that social and behavioral factors are important drivers of renewable energy adoption among SMEs. The study recommends increased awareness campaigns, peer learning initiatives, and stakeholder engagement programs to encourage wider solar PV adoption among SMEs.

Keywords

Solar PV Adoption, SMEs, Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, Social Pressure, Renewable Energy, Akinyele LGA, Nigeria.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, Adebayo Nurudeen Durodola "Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, and Social Pressure as Determinants of Solar PV Adoption among SMEs in Akinyele LGA, Oyo State" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 10 Issue 1 2026 Page 721-730 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719381

IEEE:
Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, Adebayo Nurudeen Durodola "Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, and Social Pressure as Determinants of Solar PV Adoption among SMEs in Akinyele LGA, Oyo State" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719381

APA:
Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, Adebayo Nurudeen Durodola (2026). Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, and Social Pressure as Determinants of Solar PV Adoption among SMEs in Akinyele LGA, Oyo State. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 10(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719381

MLA:
Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, Adebayo Nurudeen Durodola "Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, and Social Pressure as Determinants of Solar PV Adoption among SMEs in Akinyele LGA, Oyo State" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719381

BibTeX

@article{1719381,
author = {Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, Adebayo Nurudeen Durodola},
title = {Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, and Social Pressure as Determinants of Solar PV Adoption among SMEs in Akinyele LGA, Oyo State},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {721-730},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719381.pdf},
abstract = {This study examined the social and behavioral determinants of solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study employed a quantitative research design using structured questionnaires administered to SME operators. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the major social and behavioral factors influencing solar PV adoption. The results showed that the dataset was suitable for factor analysis with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of 0.744 and a significant Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (p < 0.05). The PCA extracted nine major components explaining 76.519% of the total variance. The identified determinants include environmental and cost awareness, peer and neighbour influence, knowledge and awareness of solar energy, social and stakeholder pressure, organizational and gender influence, educational influence, business cluster influence, financial planning for solar adoption, and technical capability and network influence. The findings revealed that peer influence, environmental awareness, and social pressure significantly shape SME solar PV adoption decisions. The study concludes that social and behavioral factors are important drivers of renewable energy adoption among SMEs. The study recommends increased awareness campaigns, peer learning initiatives, and stakeholder engagement programs to encourage wider solar PV adoption among SMEs.},
keywords = {Solar PV Adoption, SMEs, Peer Influence, Environmental Awareness, Social Pressure, Renewable Energy, Akinyele LGA, Nigeria.},
month = {July}
}