Renewable energy technologies (RET) have faced a number of constraints that have affected their rate of adoption. This can be attributed to the presence of complex dynamic factors associated with the technology adoption process. This paper simulates the dynamic behaviour of the RET adoption process, from a systems dynamics point of view. Complex dynamic interactions between technology adopters, policy makers and policies are captured based on systems thinking concepts. Based on a set of input policy parameters and variables, the behaviour of RET adoption is investigated and analyzed. Sensitivity experiments and further “what-if” experiments are carried out to obtain in-depth understanding of RET adoption process. Useful managerial insights are drawn from the simulation results, relevant to decision makers concerned with renewable energy technology innovations and their adoption.

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Appendix A

Parameter definitions:

total_market: the total individuals who could become RET adopters.

adoption_fraction: the probability that an individual is willing to adopt RET as a result of word of mouth.

contact_frequency: the number of individuals contacted each year for each individual.

promotion_effect: the probability that an individual will take up the RET each year as a result of promotion effort.

takeup_delay: the average time taken by a potential adopter to take-up the current technology.

teaching_productivity: the rate of adopters generated from semi-adopters per teaching effort

learning_time: the average time taken by a semi-adopter to finally adopt and use the RET.

termination_fraction: the probability that an adopter will discontinue to use the RET after the usage period.

usage_period: the average time an adopter will use the technology.

adoption_delay: the average time it takes for a semi-adopter to adopt the technology.