Does residential photovoltaic installation matter for coal-to-electricity transition? Evidence from self-determination theory perspective

The Chinese government is steadfast in its pursuit of dual carbon goals, advocating for the expansion of residential photovoltaic power generation as a means to revolutionize rural energy consumption. Despite the importance of this transition, the current literature lacks a thorough analysis of its implications. This research employs Self-Determination Theory to analyze 1,136 surveys, examining the role of residential photovoltaic adoption in facilitating the shift from coal to electricity. Through PLS-SEM modeling, the study reveals that photovoltaic technology adoption significantly enhances residents’ energy autonomy (β = 0.331), perceptual competence (β = 0.311), and ownership consciousness (β = 0.323), which in turn mediate their willingness to embrace electricity as the main energy source (β = 0.135). Current policies that blend economic incentives with environmental education have successfully increased the uptake of residential photovoltaic systems and residents’ propensity for electrical energy, with economic incentives (β = 0.021) proving more influential than environmental campaigns (β = 0.009). This underscores the pivotal role of economic factors in driving energy consumption behavior. Consequently, the paper proposes policy recommendations centered on photovoltaic subsidies, environmental awareness, and the integration of residential photovoltaic systems with coal-to-electricity strategies to enhance the effectiveness of these interventions and promote a sustainable energy future.