Alternative energy technologies in buildings: Stakeholder perceptions

This paper explores the factors affecting the use of alternative energy technologies (AETs) in buildings through the eyes of building project stakeholders. While there are many published lists of incentives and restrictions to using these technologies there are few reports of their impact in practical contexts. The paper reports on the results of a qualitative study of building project stakeholders in the UK—their experience of AETs, the factors that influence assessments and their views on how to improve the chances of using AETs in future projects. The large amount of variation in the importance of drivers and barriers to using AETs between projects is revealed. Despite this variation the emphasis for assessment methods is on financial concerns, largely ignoring more qualitative concerns. This lack of suitable assessment methodologies along with a lack of education, motivation and case-study information in the building industry are restricting the use of AETs in UK building projects.