Social Dynamics and Energy Autonomy: Exploring the Formation of Solar Energy Communities

The energy sector has been significantly affected by escalating geopolitical and environmental tensions, highlighting the potential benefits of distributed energy systems and local energy production. These issues have become central in private, business, and public policy discussions. The active participation of prosumers in Solar Energy Communities (SECs) is expected to play an increasingly vital role in the future of energy systems. Our empirical findings indicate that the competency, autonomy, and relatedness of stakeholders involved in the formation and management of SECs are critical to their successful establishment. Furthermore, we explore how these factors shape the dynamics of SEC formation and ongoing activities.