Insights from a conjoint study on the attractiveness of energy communities

Abstract Energy communities are gaining prominence across Europe, but little is known about factors that motivate individuals to join them. This study investigates how social, legal, technical factors, as well as person-specific characteristics shape motivation to participate in ECs beyond financial considerations. Using a conjoint experimental design in an Austrian online survey ( N = 554), we examined preferences across multiple EC profiles per person. Results indicate that participants slightly preferred ECs organized as associations over corporate or company-based entities, and favored comprehensive energy usage models (e.g., combining electricity and heating) over more narrowly focused applications. There was also limited evidence for a preference toward socially diverse communities. At the individual level, motivation to join an EC was most strongly associated with positive attitudes toward public service, followed by weaker effects of future orientation and biospheric values. We discuss the results in the light of emerging perspectives on energy citizenship, highlighting individuals as active contributors rather than passive consumers in the energy transition.