Main obstacles and motivations for individual investors in renewable energy cooperatives

The objective of this research is to identify which barriers and motivations are most important to individual investors when investing in renewable energy via cooperatives. We used a survey-based methodology and conducted statistical analysis. The results reveal that the primary motivations for investing in renewable energy cooperatives are environmental and climate concerns, along with financial interests. These motivations, however, differ among the groups surveyed. Current investors prioritize environmental and climate considerations, while potential investors are more focused on financial benefits. Regarding obstacles, potential investors report some hesitation; however, these concerns are rarely linked to the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) phenomenon. Instead, they stress the importance of better information about investment opportunities, operational details, and associated risk-return trade-offs.