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Stefania Lovo (Virtual Seminar)
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Title: Renewable energy technology adoption and the diffusion of information and behaviour in social networks: Evidence from rural China
Abstract: This paper investigates how social networks affect renewable energy technology adoption. We distinguish between two channels through which social networks may play a role: the diffusion of information, and the diffusion of behaviour. We conduct a survey on biogas technology adoption in rural China to identify individuals’ networks. We find that both the diffusion of information and behaviour drive farmers’ technology adoption. In addition, we find heterogeneous social network effects. Friends and relatives or individuals that are trusted affect adoption through the diffusion of information, while less trusted individuals such as government officials affect adoption through the diffusion of behaviour.