Factors Hindering Solar Photovoltaic System Implementation in Buildings and Infrastructure Projects: Analysis through a Multiple Linear Regression Model and Rule-Based Decision Support System

Abstract

Energy plays a predominant role in the development of society. With advancements in technology and the growth of society (buildings and infrastructures), the demand for energy is rapidly increasing. Developing countries typically rely on the import of fossil fuels and capital investments in infrastructure development to meet their energy needs. The execution of solar PV projects in developing countries is currently not being implemented promisingly. Therefore, the determination of the critical success factors hindering the implementation of solar PV projects is the need of the hour. The aim of this study is to determine the factors that hinder the implementation of solar PV projects through the use of a multiple linear regression model (MLRM) and a rule-based decision support system (RBDSS). Seven categories of factors were identified through a detailed literature review and interviews with energy experts. Four hundred and twenty-nine complete responses were collected in total through a questionnaire, and they were analyzed using relative importance indexing (RII) and MLRM and RBDSS approaches. A comparison was carried out against both methodologies to determine the most critical barriers to the implementation of solar PV projects. The findings regarding the MLRM approach showed that the top seven critical factors were economic conditions, encouraging policies, technological knowledge, organizational support, social awareness, market stability, and miscellaneous aspects. Similarly, the results for the RBDSS approach identified that the top seven critical factors were encouraging policies, economic conditions, organizational support, technological knowledge, market stability, social awareness, and miscellaneous aspects. The application of MLRM and RBDSS will help stakeholders in making timely decisions and corrections during the implementation phase, providing a systematic way to support the performance and execution of solar projects.