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Documente Cultură
Do-it-yourself solar water heating in Hungary: Prospects and barriers and comparison
with the Austrian experience
Robert LANZ
July, 2005
Budapest
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Notes on copyright and the ownership of intellectual property rights:
(1) Copyright in text of this thesis rests with the Author. Copies (by any process)
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Further copies (by any process) of copies made in accordance with such instructions
may not be made without the permission (in writing) of the Author.
(2) The ownership of any intellectual property rights which may be described in
this thesis is vested in the Central European University, subject to any prior agreement
to the contrary, and may not be made available for use by third parties without the
written permission of the University, which will prescribe the terms and conditions of
any such agreement.
(3) For bibliographic and reference purposes this thesis should be referred to as:
Lanz, R. 2005. Do-it-yourself solar water heating in Hungary: Prospects and barriers
and comparison with the Austrian experience. Master of Science thesis, Department
of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University, Budapest.
Further information on the conditions under which disclosures and exploitation may
take place is available from the Head of the Department of Environmental Sciences
and Policy, Central European University.
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Author’s declaration
No portion of the work referred to in this thesis has been submitted in support of an
application for another degree or qualification of this or any other university or other
institute of learning.
Robert LANZ
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Table of Contents
2. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................1
1.1 AIMS OF THE THESIS.............................................................................................................................2
1.2 CONTENTS OF THE THESIS......................................................................................................................2
1LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................................................................4
2.1. DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SUPPLY AND RURAL ELECTRIFICATION...................................................................4
2.2 ENERGY POLICY AND THE RENEWABLE ENERGY MARKET ............................................................................5
2.2 QUESTIONING GROWTH .....................................................................................................................6
2.4CITIZEN-INNOVATOR: USER-END PARTICIPATION..........................................................................................7
2.5DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION......................................................................................................................7
2.6SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS.................................................................................................................9
2.7 THE AUSTRIAN DIY SOLAR THERMAL MOVEMENT: ORIGIN AND SPREAD .................................................11
2.8 THE HUNGARIAN SCENE.....................................................................................................................13
2.8.1 Solar potential in Hungary...................................................................................................13
.................................................................................................................................................................14
2.8.2 Energy issues in Hungary.....................................................................................................14
2.8.3 The Hungarian experience with DIY....................................................................................14
2.6 REASONS FOR SUCCESS ....................................................................................................................15
2.7POLICY SUPPORT FOR DIY IN AUSTRIA..................................................................................................16
2.8SUMMARY..........................................................................................................................................17
3. METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................................................19
3.1 DATA COLLECTION METHODS................................................................................................................20
3.2 DATA ANALYSIS METHODS...................................................................................................................21
3.3 ACCESS AND POWER..........................................................................................................................21
3.4 MOBILITY AND TECHNOLOGY..............................................................................................................22
4. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK...................................................................................................23
4.1 INNOVATION .....................................................................................................................................23
4.2 COMMUNICATION CHANNELS...............................................................................................................24
4.3 TIME................................................................................................................................................25
4.5 SOCIAL SYSTEM................................................................................................................................26
5. FINDINGS..........................................................................................................................................27
5.1 THE AUSTRIAN SCENE........................................................................................................................27
5.2 THE SPREAD BEYOND THE BORDERS......................................................................................................29
5.3 DIY IN HUNGARY: SELF-BUILD WORKSHOPS........................................................................................30
5.3.1 DIY in Hungary: Turkeve......................................................................................................30
5.3.2 DIY in Hungary: Esztergom..................................................................................................31
5.4 DIY IN HUNGARY: WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS........................................................................................33
5.5 HUNGARIAN SELF-BUILD PROJECTS BY INDIVIDUALS.................................................................................35
5.6 HUNGARIAN SOLAR THERMAL MARKET..................................................................................................36
5.7 HUNGARIAN POLICY SUPPORT AND GAS PRICES........................................................................................38
5.8. THE PAYBACK PERIOD FOR DIY SOLAR HEATERS....................................................................................38
5.9 COMPARISON OF PAYBACK PERIODS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.....................................................................41
6. DISCUSSION, ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................43
6.1 THEORETICAL ANALYSIS.....................................................................................................................43
6.2 DISCUSSION......................................................................................................................................46
6.3 RECOMMENDATIONS: OBSTACLES AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM...............................................................48
7.1 SUMMARY......................................................................................................................................54
REFERENCE LIST...............................................................................................................................56
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS....................................................................................................61
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APPENDIX A.........................................................................................................................................63
OPENER.................................................................................................................................................63
TOPIC AREAS.......................................................................................................................................63
INNOVATION........................................................................................................................................63
HISTORY/SPREAD..............................................................................................................................63
TECHNOLOGY....................................................................................................................................63
COSTS/ECONOMICS..........................................................................................................................64
POLICY..................................................................................................................................................64
SOCIAL CAPITAL................................................................................................................................64
PROBLEMS/FAILURES......................................................................................................................64
POTENTIAL..........................................................................................................................................64
DIFFUSION METHODS......................................................................................................................65
PRICES...................................................................................................................................................66
USAGE....................................................................................................................................................66
APPENDIX B.........................................................................................................................................67
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List of Tables
Table 1. Yearly saving on gas bill for Hungarian family homes. Source of information
used to generate table per. comm. MEH representatives D and G 2005………………
39
Table 2 Costs and payback periods for various solar water heating options. Source of
information: per. comm. Marton 2005, A 2005, B 2005, Jula Schill 2005, F 2005……
42
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List of Figures
Figure 1. Rise and Fall of the Austrian Do-it-Yourself Movement. Source Faninger
2005……………………………………………………………………………………
…28
Figure 2 Bending copper tubing using special turning table. EKE workshop. Photo
taken by Monika Pacziga………………………………………………………………
……….32
Figure 3 Tubing soldered onto a copper plate. Same location. Photo: Monika
Pacziga...32
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the staff, faculty and students of the Environmental Sciences and
Policy Department for their support, good spirits as well as their dedication. In
particular I would like to thank Alexios Antypass, Alan Watt and Diane Urge-Vorsatz
for their advice during the research.
I would like to thank my family, Robert, Marcia and Teresa and my friends in
Hungary, Austria, America and elsewhere. I would like to thank Dr. John Herr for
encouraging me to continue my education.
I would like to thank Melike Asli Sahinsoy for her love and tenderness.
I would like to thank all the people whom I consulted and interviewed during the
course of my research, including Michael Ornetzeder, Akos Monoki, Gunther
Schwarlzer, Harald Rohracher, Peter Marton, Jula Schill, Andras Ledenyi and Roger
Hackstock. I would also like to thank Monika Pacziga, for assisting me in my
research.
I would like to thank Marie Blaye, my grandmother, a person who, if you know, it is
impossible not to love.
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CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY
Keywords: Austria, Hungary, environment, solar, water heating, energy, policy, self
build, Do-it-yourself, Turkeve, Esztergom, diffusion, social, networks, Szechenyi
plan,
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2. Introduction
water heating at low costs in rural areas in the Austrian Bundeslander of Styria as well as
other parts of rural Austria. An estimated 200,000 m2 of solar heater have been installed
in Austria using self-build methods since the early 1980’s when the so-called Austrian
Self-build projects such as this have potential to bring energy, employment, and most
construction of renewable energy systems like solar water heaters. This thesis will
examine what preconditions are necessary for the success of self-build projects in
developing economies and rural areas, with a focus on Hungary. What kinds of social
capital (community cohesion, construction skill) and economic capital (outside funding,
energy to meet local needs. What potential does small-scale locally produced renewable
energy have for minority groups who otherwise can not afford energy.
on the subject has focused on how to meet needs. More is left to be said about how best
Hungary, with a relatively high number of sunlight hours per year, has, meteorologically
speaking, has a good potential for the use of solar energy. Attempts have been made to
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promote solar water heating in Hungary using do-it-yourself techniques, although they
In order to predict whether what potential there is for Do-it-yourself several question
should be answered. Is the energy market situation and energy policy conducive to a DIY
solar heater movement in Hungary? What obstacles exist to a repeat of the Austria DIY
This thesis will add to the field of knowledge in four main ways. It will describe current
practices used in Hungary to promote DIY solar water heater, provide a theoretical
analysis thereof using diffusion theory, compare the Hungarian DIY experience with the
Austrian case. The goal of these three aims is to provide a better understanding of the
factors that contribute to success or failure of a self-build solar water heater movement.
This understanding will be used to create a list of obstacles and potential aids to DIY
The first chapter of this thesis introduces the research topic, identifies the aims and
objectives of the research and describes the contents of the chapters of the thesis.
2
The second chapter of this thesis is a literature review and will give background on the
solar energy history, justification for the need for solar energy and the available
Chapter three will lay of the methodological approach which was used. This was
solar in Hungary and Austria concerning their perspective on and motivations involving
Chapter four describes the theoretical framework which was used to analyze the
information which was gathered during the research. The concepts and terminology of
In the fifth chapter, findings are revealed. These consist of two parts, results of
interviews and an evaluation of the economics suitable of DIY solar water heater for
Chapter six is a theoretical analysis of the findings and literature using diffusion theory.
Academic work on the subject of DIY solar water heating in Hungary is, up until now,
was obtained in this research can be made useful for other researchers.
Chapter seven contains a discussion of the finding, a set of obstacles to and solutions to
help achieve greater diffusion of solar water heating in Hungary via DIY
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1 Literature review
This section is a review of the literature on the topic of do-it-yourself solar water in
Hungary and Austria. It beings will the broader theoretical contexts into which the issue
fits such distributed energy supply, the question of sustainable growth and user-
innovativeness. The review then moves to moves to the more specifically related topic of
solar thermal energy and ends with a discussion of literature on the topic of DIY in
Austria and Hungary and its relationship with national and local policies
Datta et al. (2002) argue for more dispersed, smaller-scale energy production. They list
reduced costs, increased competition, free market entry, improved technology and
increased energy reliability as benefits. The market has increasingly moved in this
direction since the 1980‘s . Datta et al’s book use examples only from the U.S. energy
market.
Even developing countries have chosen to make large investments in creating distributed
generation supply. Argentina established “Electric Supply Program for the Rural
Argentinians who do not have access to electricity (Fabris et al 1996). Priority is given
research by done on the potential for renewable energy in developing to meet energy
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need from a non-natives perspective, such as Rudd’s (2001) examination of photovoltaic
Grubb and Vigoti (1997) discuss, in the European context, Dispersed Energy Supply
(DES) and the problem of small islands other isolated energy systems. They argue,
similarly to Lovins, that the energy market in the 21st century will move from centralized
to distributed electricity systems. Mitchell (1996) claims that the current European
electricity system is characterized by increasing demand and that future markets will be
development and increased cash flow in the rural economy. Thus the use of renewable
energy favors rural development and not urbanization”. This idea is mirrored by
Johnson, Kelly, Reddy and Williams (1993) who state that “production of renewable
in rural areas, that otherwise have limited opportunities for economic growth. Renewable
energy can thus help reduce poverty in rural areas and reduce pressures for urban
migration.”
Flavin and Lenssen (1995) argue that policy, speaking in a world wide sense, are biased
prices artificially low and encouraging waste”. Flavin and Lenssen claim that direct
5
fossil fuel subsidies in 1991 totalled approximately $220 billion worldwide, about “20-
Removing these kind of subsidies is effecting in reducing. Flavin and Lenssen report that
there was a 20-percent decline in coal use between 1990 and 1993, when subsidies were
gradually withdrawn.
Lovins et al (1981) argue that the best subsidy is no subsidy, for either, and that the only
justifiable residual ones are those “improve market structure, enhance competition,
compensate for...social costs and not …self-perpetuating.” Loans for end-users are a
suggested as a way to allow for low-cost choice since “Correct price signals are useless if
How is it possible as Mitchell states that demand can decrease. Most economists assume
growth as both inevitable and desirable. However, Bennholdt-Thomsen and Mies (1999)
younger than the capitalist patriarchal one which is based on the ongoing
colonisation of women, of other people and nature. This ‘other’ economy puts life
and everything necessary to produce and maintain life on this planet at the center
of economic and social activity and not the never-ending accumulation of dead
money.
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They continue by recommending development which is locally driven.
devaluating … their own work, their own power – and stop expecting the good
So the question is, what kind of energy do we want to produce and towards what end?
As Fischer (2003) states, it is …“not easy to find scientific studies dealing with consumer
consumer aspects including a 1992 article by Hackstock et al about the Austrian DIY
movement. At the time of the literature review, the thesis author was unable to find this
document and part of the research with include an attempt to find and gain access to
Use of solar energy is a type of innovation. Rogers (2003) look at diffusion, which he
social system. Rogers creates a terminology for discussing innovations and their
diffusion, which can be applied to any innovation in any context. His examples of
7
innovations range from water boiling in Peruvian villages and the Dvorak typing
keyboard to the kindergarten system and news of the September 11th attacks on the World
specifically “a design for instrumental action that reduces the uncertainty in the cause-
concept of technology into two components hardware and software, that is, the “…
material, or physical object…” and the “…information base for the tool.”
Rogers discusses the rate of adoption of any new innovation as following an S shaped
during the initial adoption phase, followed by a sharp, steady increase in the number of
weed sprays in Iowa and even the diffusion of diffusion studies and uses these statistics to
the S- shaped diffusion rate and the examples strike the readers and logical and plausible.
Furthermore, the theory seems to hold true in the case of the diffusion of the DIY system
throughout Austria. However, although Roger’s theory allows for an extended time
periods for diffusion he does not seem to allow for step-like diffusion, that is, rapid
innovation. Perhaps Rogers would treat the second rapid diffusion rate as a new
terms of the theory and by not addresses or bringing forth example of cases were the
theory does not hold true. Also, Rogers examples tends to look at relatively coherent or
8
cohesive societies or civilizations (within a Peruvian village, among Balinese rice
farmers, among Americans) and does not address the crossing of innovation over societal,
Despite certain problems, Roger’s theory is a useful tool for comparing various types of
social phenomena and finding common elements in their spread within societies.
Solar thermal collectors are a particularly attractive way, from a resource efficiency and
environmental perspective, of generating heat. The system essentially “traps” heat that
would other wise escape. Using fossil fuels requires converting energy from one state to
another which inevitably result in some loss of energy to entropy. Scheer (1994) argues
that the use of solar and other wave energy adds no new energy to earth and thus do not
Thermodynamics states that with every conversion of energy form one form to another,
resting energy into available energy and then into diffused and no longer available energy
– heat and other emissions are released that bring disorder to the ecosphere’s order state,
which in the end bring about its heat death.” Twidell and Weir (2000) state similarly, but
less catastrophically, that “Renewable energy is always extracted from a flow of energy.
The energy is then returned to the environment, so thermal pollution can occur on
anything but a small scale.” They continue discussing the benefits of renewables
“Likewise, material and chemical aspects of pollution in air, water and refuse tend to be
minimal.”
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Humanity’s use of solar energy is dates as far back as the 7th century B.C. (U.S. DOE
2004) for use in lighting fuels. There are even disputed claims that Greek soldiers used
reflected light from bronzes shield to set fire to enemy ships (ibid.)
Even the specific the specific application of solar energy for water heating is far from
new. Indeed, in 1891 Clarence M. Kemp patented the Climax solar water heater. It
combined the old practice of painting metal tanks black with “the principle of the hot
box, thereby increasing the tank’s ability to collect and retain solar heat.” (Butti and
Perlin 1981). A market developed and solar water heaters became very popular. In pre-
World War II America the heater became quite popular and federal programs supported
the market. “With an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) Home Improvement Loan a
month, with no money down. With monthly payments lower than normal utility bills for
an electric water heater, people started saving money right after buying a solar
unit.”(ibid.). Rising copper prices and labor costs caused the market to dwindle after the
Second World War and after the late fifties the California and Florida markets were
largely dead.
The oil shocks of 1973 gave boosts to solar water heater markets in Japan and Australia
(Perlin 2004). Also, the Israeli oil boycott, which followed the Yom Kippur War, caused
a boom in Israel. Interesting, the greatest success in soalr water heating has been for pool
heating, the first design originating from American Freeman Ford. In the United States
pool heaters produces the energy equivalent of 10 nuclear power plants (ibid).
The solar water heater market in the United States also experienced a boom after 1973
10
2.7 The Austrian DIY solar thermal movement: Origin and spread
In the early nineteen eighties two skilled amateur inventors from the Styria region in
Austria “… a fruit farmer and a technical engineer..” (Ornetzeder and Rohracher 2003)
developed a self-build technique for constructing solar thermal water heaters. The system
was designed with to meet the needs and fit with the abilities of the rural population, who
were otherwise outside of the solar heater market. The motives for designing the system
Our primary aim was to build a collector that was inexpensive and easy to build
for every one of us. Having become aware of the finiteness of natural resources,
we also aimed at avoiding all material waste in constructing the collector. Other
community building. Every body was expected to build their own collector in
order to be sufficiently familiar with its function. (Hodl and Plesch 1988)
According to Ornetzeder and Rohracher, the building as group fit well with local
lifestyle. “This rural part of Austria, Eastern Styria, is well-known for its wine and fruits.
People of this countryside are used to cooperating at least during the harvest season.”
There was initially one self-build group. Word of mouth of positive experiences with
self-build led to increased demand and two more groups were formed in 1984.
“From 1986 onwards, the self-build group leaders met on a monthly basis to discuss the
11
The leaders order parts in bulk, which lowered costs. Feedback was used to refine the
design of the system (e.g. using a one piece pipe instead of one that needed to be
soldered). Experimentation led to the discovery that the solar system could also be used
for space heating. Stryian self-builders from 1986 onwards were producing as many or
more solar collectors as all of the commercial builders in the country combined.
In 1988 The Association for Renewable Energy was formed (AEE) to promote the
movement in a more institutional way. “As an official representative of the solar system
self-build movement, the AEE was able to receive public funds. Self-build and assembly
procedures were optimized, technical and organizational material prepared … and was
supported by the Ministry of Environment, Youth and Family Matters.” (Fink and Blumel
2002)This enabled the AEE to do their work on both a broader and more stable
basis.”(Ornetzeder and Rohracher). The AEE set up regional offices throughout the rest
Switzerland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, and Slovenia.”(ibid.). “… in Northen (sic)
parts of Italy, do it yourself have played and are playing a certain role.” The Inco-
Copernicus program is support efforts by the AEE to promote the transfer of solar
bilateral Austrian-Slovenian project, offering solar information and consulting for solar
solar installations a year.” (Schwarzler 2005). The AEE even has cooperation projects
with Zimbabwe and Uganda. Schwarlzer also states that the DIY system is used by
12
According to Fink and Blumel “…demand for ‘do-it-yourself’ system declined more and
and Blumel do not use statistics to illustrate that point so it is unclear whether they mean
an absolute decline in demand or a decrease in market share. Fink and Blumel’s aim was
Both Ornetzeder and Rohracher as wells as Fink and Blumel fail to paint the whole story
of the spread of DIY in Austria. There appears to be a slowing down of the DIY diffusion
innovation. The two articles did not intend to be diffusion studies but in absence of a true
Rogers suggest that diffusion studies take samples of diffusion at multiple stages of the
process. Ornetzeder and Rohracher seem to do a good job of this for the early adoption
and growth face but not for the market decline and Fink and Blumel describe the decline
in a vague (for our purposes) manner. A coherent study of the “rise and fall” so speak
would be useful.
Three aspects of the literature on solar in Hungary are examined here: potential, energy
Hungary has a large potential for making use of solar. “Those areas where the summer is
longest i.e. the region between the Danube and the Tisza rivers as well as the southeastern
13
lowland of the country enjoy … 2050 to 2100 hours of sunshine a year, while the western
parts of Trandanubia, in sub-alpine areas in the north of the country, the amount may fall
below 1800 hours a year… The relatively favorable radiation and atmospheric conditions
Writing in 1997 the EIA reported that Hungary’s energy market is made up largely of
fossil fuel inputs, the greatest of these being natural gas which makes up 38.3 percent (9.7
Mtoe) of Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES), follow by oil and coal. Nuclear accounts
for 14.4% of TPES . The EIA predicts that Hungary will become increasing reliant on
imports, coming from Russia and Ukraine. Gas prices are subsidized in Hungary and
14
Foundation). These centers provide basic equipment and expert advice for those seeking
Nature Conservation Association.” (Anonymous 2005A) I was not able to find the text of
that presentation, however a summary was published which states: “The organization
NIMFEA is engaged, among others, schooling the volunteers on building and installing
solar collectors DIY method. There are seven such centres places in different parts of the
country. The cost of simple collector made by DIY methods …(about 170 EUR).”
There tend to be similar ideas about why DIY was successful in Austria . The AEE list
Area's relative poverty and the widely-dispersed population (need for cheap
heating systems), the high proportion of pluriactive people (in general, such
people with multiple skills can learn how to construct a system in a short time); a
strong tradition of village solidarity helped the “group dynamics”; active support
from the Land authorities, who have provided financial support for installing
these solar-based systems since 1990, most often in the form of low-interest
15
2.7 Policy support for DIY In Austria
national and international programs are needed to promote institutional and technological
In 1995, the city of Graz adopted a programme entitled “Okostadt 2000- Agenda
21 – the path to sustainable development (Energy Cites 2003). “The programme includes
an assessment of the local situation, directives for the political environment and
principles for sustainable urban development… The program’s goal is to switch from a
protective and curative policy for natural environments to a bolder preventative approach
identification of nine action areas, called action plans in the document, the ninth being
“Energy and protection of climate.” The design of a community energy plan, the
Kommunales Energiekonzept Graz or Municipal Energy Concept (KEK), was key feature
The Municipal Energy Concept (KEK) for the city of Graz, under its Solar
Initiative programme, sets out a goal for solar thermal heater installations for the years
2000 and 2010 under the policy existing framework 17,000 m2 and 67,000m2
respectfully and of 24,000 and 200,000 if new frameworks are put in place. The KEK
plan also lists actions to promote to the use of solar thermal heater for water systems and
16
“The ‘Solar Initiative’ action programme is a vast programme for the distribution
of solar panels aimed at direct thermal exploitation of solar energy. Solar initiative
activities include the following: Modular system of assembly of solar installations with
specialist groups providing assistance for assembly for user…” (Energy Cites 2003)
AEE, along with the Austrian Energy Agency (EVA) and eight other Austrian
(OPET) Network. OPET’s goal is to “promote European energy technologies across the
2.8 Summary
The spread of solar water heating technology be means of the DIY system in Austria was
impressive. The technique had unique benefits such as low cost, a great deal of user-
spread throughout and spread across and beyond Austria. Institutionalization allowed it
to receive public support and funding and its inclusion into larger frameworks such
Agenda 21. DIY solar water heating’s ultimate potential for dissemination is unclear
There is no definitive text on the DIY solar movement and its potential. This may be due
to its quick rise and decline. The period immediately after a phenoma’s decline is the
two windows of opportunity for being a subject of study by academics. The first would
subject. The possibilities for the use of DIY in other countries, where the market for solar
17
heaters is not yet developed (i.e. costs are still high), are evidenced by the interest that
Austria and the AEE have shown in spread their techniques around the world. That being
the case, this thesis will attempt to pull together the disparate information that exists on
the subject in a whole, which is useful for those interested in dissemination of solar
energy practices.
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3. Methodology
several types of data are relevant, both qualitative and quantitative. Since the author’s
background is in social sciences emphasis will be placed on the social factors that
contribute to the success or failure of distribution but of course relevant economic and
The author’s goal is to try and paint a picture of the historical spread of DIY solar
technology in Austria and Hungary and identify barriers to its areas for future research.
As such a modified grounded theory approach will be used. Certain techniques from
grounded theory are particularly useful such as coding and the use inductive analysis.
The main modification of derivation from strict ground theory will be the use of some
“blank slate” approach, theories such as diffusion of innovation will be applied from the
get-go. The aim is to construct some type coherent whole as quickly as possible, since
Research will consist of a literature review including relevant academic articles and
books as well as news articles, interviews with experts, important promoters of DIY and
In the end, this research project should serve as a springboard for researchers who may
wish to look deeper into the topic. The thesis will identify what aspects of the DIY
19
movement are likely candidates for future research. Towards this end, this research will
of the process. Using a variety of approaches will allow a more three-dimensional view
of the subject. The author agrees with the sentiment expressed by Webb et al (2000):
Today, the dominant mass of social science research is based on interviews and
questionnaires. We lament this over upon a single fallible method. Interviews and
questionaires intrude as a foreign element into the social setting they would
describe, they create as well as measure attitudes, they ellicit atypical roles and
responses, they are limited to those who cooperate… But the principal objection
many… instead of the methods being important, the problem is most important, and
and the current status of the DIY movement. Though some broad information was
available, much the subject is still unexamined. Often it is buried in articles about other
topics. This posed difficulties in obtaining a clear picture of what occurred. For
example, statistics for the number of solar water heaters installed each year was available
20
Interviews were semi-structured with specific questions about the interviewee’s
question were tailored to the expertise and background of the interviewees (See Appendix
and fill in the holes in the spotty literature and to identify other potential interviewees and
The primary tool used for analysis of data will be diffusion of technology theory.
Information gathered in the research will translated into and analyzed using the
In identifying potentials and barriers, coding will be used to create analyzable data. Data
was coded into broad categories of relevance such as economics, social, policy,
technological. Once this is done, then factors which contribute to the success or failure
Although the topic is not a controversial one and in general, all those with whom the
researcher has spoken expressed enthusiasm it is worth questioning that access to experts
would probably easier to obtain the higher the research is in the academia.
21
Language can be both an enabling and limiting factor in research. Much of the material
on DIY was available in both German and English. The researcher has a reading
knowledge of German and thus was able to supplement his knowledge with German.
Also, having an introductory level of Hungarian proved useful when intrepreting certain
documents and websites. The status of English as the unofficial language of the
European Union and perhaps even the globe gives English speakers access to a great deal
Interviews took place in Vienna, Austria, Budapest, Hungary as well as the NIMFEA
Esztergom, Hungary. The researcher lived in Budapest and use rail to reach these
destinations. Interviews were taped and written notes were taken simultaneously
22
4. Theoretical Framework
This section will introduce the concepts and terminology of diffusion of innovations. The
focus of this theory is on social framework in with innovations spread and the way in
which agents and actors within the society spread them. All of the information in this
and share information with each other. Rogers reiterates the definition of diffusion in
order to focus on its four elements innovation, communication, time and social system.
Part of the charm of the theory is its ability to describe complex phenomena by separating
the information into discrete elements. Following that example each element will be
4.1 Innovation
need not “objectively” new in order to qualify as an innovation, only new to the
individual who is exposed to it. Like most diffusion studies, this thesis will analyze a
embodiment of a technology, and software, its information base. Rogers equates software
with information and states that some innovations consist entirely of information
Any given technology can be part of a technology cluster, a group of closely related
technologies.
23
What attributes an innovation are perceived to have are useful for understanding their rate
innovation has to the one that preceded it. Compatability is the consistency with
“existing values, past experiences, and needs of potential adopters.” The degree to which
an innovation is perceived as difficult to use and understand is its complexity. The term
triability describes to what degree the innovation may be experimented with on a limited
basis. Observability is the degree to which the results of an innovation are visible to
others.
Although some innovations can not be re-invented, Rogers uses the example of hybrid
corns which hold a gene for only one generation allowing farmers.
Two types of communication channels are described mass media channels and
interpersonal channels. Mass media channels are means of transmitting messages which
enable one or a few individuals to reach an audience of many. Interpersonal channels are
internet chat rooms, although not belonging to a formal category in diffusion theory are
24
individuals in certain attributes. Heterophily, is the degree of difference in certain
4.3 Time
individuals compared with others and an innovations rate of adoption within a system.
The innovation-decision process has five main steps knowledge, persuasion, decision,
implementation and confirmation. Knowledge occurs when the individual first becomes
innovation are the decision step. Implementation begins with the use of the innovation.
Confirmation occurs when the individual either confirms or reverses a previous decision.
The innovation-decision period is the amount of time required to pass through innovation
design process. The process results in either acceptance, the decision to continue, or
new ideas relatively early compared with other members of a social system. Based on the
categories which include innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority and
laggards.
Rate of adoption is the relative speed by which innovations are adopted in a system. This
refers not so much to individuals but rather that of the social system.
25
4.5 Social System
Rogers defines a social system as “ a set of interrelated units that are engaged in joint
problem solving to accomplish a common goal.” These units can be either groups or
individuals. The arrangement of these units is the systems structure. Norms are the
Opinion leadership is the degree of that an individual is able ot influence the opinions
and behavior of other members of the social system. An opinion leader is not necessarily
the most innovative member of society, but rather models for behavior of other members
desired by a change agency. Consquences are the changes that occur as a result as a
26
5. Findings
This section will describe the results of interviews as they relate to three topic
areas the diffusion of the solar water heaters in Austria, attempts to reproduce the
phenomena outside Austria and the use of DIY in Hungary. Also included is an
A more focused picture of how DIY was promoted during its heyday was obtained
presentations about DIY. Self-build projects were then organized (per. comm. Ornetzeder
2005). Some research had been done within Austria which has documented the success
of the DIY solar water heater movement and analyzed what kind of preconditions were
necessary for its, however no follow work up has been done (per. comm. Schwaerzler
2005).
Interviewees who were acquainted with the Austrian Do-it-Yourself solar heater
movement agreed that it has essentially run its course. In the mid-nineties the number of
heater being installed in Austria each year began declining while the number of
Unpublished statistics (Faninger 2005) show, numerically, the decline of the significance
of DIY in Austria. The peak year for the self-built solar heaters in Austria was 1992.
27
Figure 2. Rise and Fall of the Austrian Do-it-yourself movement. Source Faninger
2005
The AEE is no longer focused on promoting solar water heaters. When asked what
caused the declined experts cited an increase in market supply and a decrease in prices
(per. comm. Ornetzeder 2005, per. comm Hackstock 2005). Both researchers emphasized
the increase in supply as being the motivating factor for consumer to choose commercial
systems but were less certain as to what influence the decrease in prices had. In a phone
conversation on July 27th, Ornetzeder explained that the establishment of a firm which
dealt in solar water heaters on a national level in Austria reduced the need for self-build
28
groups, as well demand for higher efficiency collectors than those which could be made
Analysis of the Austrian DIY movement by experts such as Ornetzeder, Rohracher, and
Hackstock contain similar ideas as to what contributes to the success of DIY. Social
institutionalization and funding which allowed for the movement’s spread into other
Austrian Bundeslander.
Researchers within Austria are skeptical about the possibility of promoting the DIY solar
Hackstock said that he and other researchers were highly optimistic about the
transferability of the movement in 1991 but after ten years on the subject felt that it may
have been unique. The social mileu in Eastern Styria was favorable. ”They produced the
collectors together. You had to have the industrialization in the blood but living in a
purchasing together. It doesn’t fit to any [other] culture.”(per. comm. Hackstock 2005).
Attempts have been made to use DIY as a mean of promoting renewable energy in all the
countries surrounding Austria (per. comm. Schwarzler 2005) as well as Eastern European
countries such as Bulgaria and Lithuania. Schwarlzer states that none of these attempts
have achieved the kind of “critical mass” that was hoped. Several factors seem to
29
attributes to lack of information in native languages, a lack of social cohesiveness at the
community level i.e. outside the family unit, a developed solar commercial market and
low gas prices in the east may be contributing factors. Schwarlzer’s consulting firms has
Attempts at using DIY as a way of making solar heating affordable in Hungary has been
DIY activites in Hungary is not available and due to a lack of the ability to speak
Hungarian, the researcher was not able to contact other organizations which may be
doing self-build.
have been made available to those interested in building their own solar heaters. In the
workshop are a special table for bending the copper pipes into the proper shape, a
welding table and a metal rack on which the pipes cool after welding. According the
representatives I spoke with, two people can build a solar heating unit in about two days.
30
Only twelve people have actually built solar heater systems using the workshop, which
has been available since 1997. When interviews were conducted in June and July of
When asked what possible reason could be given for these disappointing (relative to the
In regards to what would be required in order to enhance the spread of DIY, a full-time
At the Esztergomi Kornyezetkultura Egyesulet (EKE), a mile and a half by train outside
Participants are charged a nominal fee of 2000 HUF. In total, over a hundred and ninety
The workshop is run as a weekend course. The goal is not to build the collector at the
workshop but rather to show how the collector is built. The EKE makes available the
special tools, such a special turning table (See Figure 2), blow-torch and soldering table
(piping is solder on to a copper plate [See Figure 3]) for participants who would like to
follow-up.
31
When asked how many of the participants are women the project manager replied out of
“ten or fifteen people at a workshop, one or two.” Participants are of all ages but tend to
The organization estimates the building costs of the collector as being around 40,000
HUF and the all around costs for a heating system (including water tank, heat pump and
Figure 2 Bending copper tubing using special turning table. EKE workshop. Photo
taken by Monika Pacziga
representative replied it would take ten people two days to make five collectors
In terms of policy support the EKE representative made reference to a 30% subsidy for
home improvements that was discontinued last year. He appeared to be referring to the
Szechenyi Plan although he seemed uncertain on that point. The organization must apply
to the Hungarian government. Each years funding is contingent on the success of their
application.
Peter Marton was a participant in the Estergom workshop who lives in the outskirts of
Budapest. An engineer by trade, he had been interested in the idea of obtaining a solar
heater for his house by either buying or building a system. He had done his own cost-
benefit analysis and estimated that with a solar system which provides 65 percent of his
homes hot water needs (the rest supplemented by gas). Peter created an itemized list of
construction costs (See Appendix B) and estimated the pay back time would be
Peter Marton’s wife was supportive of the project. Neighbors showed interest in his
project and showed interest in investing in their own systems but were intimidated by the
Peter initially stated that his motive for building the system was that of personal interest
in solar heating and technology, as a “hobby”. He relented after he was asked to rank the
33
top reason for choosing to build a system listing economics as the first reason, “hobby”
When asked what pay-back period for a system would be too long to justify the
investment in a solar system he replied that 10 years was in his comfort range and that 15
years was his personal limit. In other words if the pay-back period was longer than 15
Peter already had a 240 liter hot water tank. To install his system he added piping and
altered his roof so the collector was part of the roof and not simply attached on it. He had
pre-estimated the cost of the equipment and materials required for the project and
estimated that all told they would come to 195,000 Forints. His yearly gas charges which
he be attributed to water heating were 27,315 ft per year. A 65 percent saving is 17754
Marton created his own blueprint for the system. He used the Esztergom workshop more
for collecting information and to help him in his decision as to whether to go ahead with
his project than to learn how to build a system. He felt the specific design used at
Esztergom was apt to run into problems in five or ten years time and attempted to design
his in such a way that he would not have to make repairs in the near future. Peter also
made use of the Esztergom workshop’s turning table (see graphic) to bend the copper
Marton attended the Esztergom workshop in March , worked on weekends and had only
recently finished his project when he was interviewed in July. He was aided by his father
and father-in-law.
34
When asked about the role of government subsidy he said that there were no government
subsidies but that subsidies had existed “three years ago” for home improvements such as
insulation.
Marton informed me, that he was aware of another individual in his town who had built
their own solar system in his village. We sought this individual out and stopped at a
house which had a solar heater on the roof. With Marton serving as an interpreter, the
individual who will remain anonymous and referred to as Mr. A, was briefly interviewed
Mr. A had built his system three years before. He had purchased the 3 collector units
form Naplopo, a solar collector dealer centered in Budapest. He installed the piping
himself. He was an electrical engineer and appeared to be around fifty or more years of
age.
When he had built his system, Szechenyi fund were available to subsidize costs. His
system cost about 300,000 Ft of which 30% was subsidized leaving him with 200,000 ft
in end costs.
Mr. A informed us that he was aware of another individual in the village who had built
their own system. He was uncertain of the exact address but gave the approximate
location. Marton and I found the house, much as we had found the first, by looking for a
roof with a heater. We knocked on the house’s door, explain the nature of the research
35
The individual at the second home, who will referred to as Mr. B, was also an engineer by
profession. B’s motivation in building the heater was primarily personal interest
(followed by economic and environmental concerns). He has also felt that at the time
when he built his it was an opportune time to build, because as he claimed a friend of his
could offer a “special discount”. His system cost 600,000 Forints including the cost of
a 250L water tank which would cost 150,000 Forints by itself. B had not done an
economic evaluation of the pay-back period for the heater. The cost of the system did not
B’s “can-do” spirit was evident even in the design of his home. B had done a major
landscaping on his property. He had purchases small boulders from local inhabitants and
and used the boulders to reinforce the hillside underneath which his house lay. A guest
house was built alongside the hill and the stone wall continued into the bathroom, giving
the room a unique cave-like appearance. B mentioned that professionals had told him
incorporating the wall into this house would lead to problems, warning which he
Mr. B exhibited cosmopolite qualities, he was well travelled throughout Europe and
spoke English quite fluently and with only a slight accent (which seemed to indicate that
36
Jula Schill is the owner of a thermal collector company that operates out of Csepel Island
and contacted the U.K. dealer. He set up a solar heater in a company shower and said
that he observed he observed high energy savings. He began dealing in solar heaters and
His company arranges exports through a representative in Croatia and is looking for a
Schill’s business is family run and has four employees in Hungary including him and his
wife. The firm keeps a little of contacts interested in solar collectors and has stop
advertising in mass media, believing that demonstrations are more effective. Schill even
posited the theory that advertising is ineffective in Hungary, as compared with countries
like America. Schill stated that many of his clients became aware of his firm through the
Zoldtech website.
Schill characterized his customers as generally being in there forties. He estimates that
E is the owner of a security equipment dealership, whom the researcher spoke with him.
While on vacation in Greece, he had observed solar water heaters and eventually became
involved in selling solar water heater systems in Hungary. The heaters he sells are Greek
made. E described his customers as mainly middle-class individuals in their forties, who
37
5.7 Hungarian policy support and gas prices
Beginning in 2000, subsidies were available under the Energy Saving Program of the
Szechenyi Plan which would cover up to 30% of home improvement costs. In 2004 and
2005 subsidies were no longer being given. Mr. C, (per comm. 2005) a representative of
the Magyar Energia Hivatal (MEH) stated that funds were no longer available but alluded
Approximately 80% of Hungarian homes use gas for heating. In a formal interview on
the 28 of July, 2005 Mrs. G, an expert on energy prices estimated that the average
Hungarian uses about 3000 cubic meters of gas a year, 1200 of which is used for water
heating. Mr. D (per. Comm) confirmed 40% water heating use estimate.
office for renewable energy, Mrs. G was skeptical, explaining that there was little interest
in renewable in general and that increased to the subject was unlikely given that the
The Hungarian Energy Office (Magyar Energia Hivatal, MEH) list the average standing
charge for a gas connection as being 4030 forints (HUF) per year. A representative from
MEH estimates a Hungarian household of four people will use about 3000 m3 of gas a
year, roughly 40% of which goes towards water heating. Gas is priced (after VAT taxes)
at a 46.5 HUF per m3 e for the first 1500 m3 used and 51.48 for the next 1500 m3. Thus
a Hungarian household that uses 3000 m3 will pay 151000 forints (69750 for the first
38
1500 m3 plus 77220 for the second) per year. 60400 (forty percent of 151000) forints
goes towards water heating. Let us estimate an average house size of four people.
NIMFEA’s and the EKE’s representatives estimate that solar water heaters can provide
for approximately 60% of hot water needs. Assuming this to be true, a solar water heater
can provide a savings of 36240 HUF a year. A self-built collector such as the one Peter
Marton made (costing, in total, 195,000) would have a pay-back time of about five and a
Consumption
Average yearly gas consumption four 3000 m3
person house
Costs HUF
39
Marton’s self-generated payback estimate was eleven years. His low consumption rate
may be attributed to presence of a wood heater in his house and insulation. Also, the
percentage of gas used to heat water over the last two years was 27%, 13% lower than the
40% estimate.
There is, of course, a difference between real and perceived costs and real and perceived
beneficial choice. So for this reason, as well as the fact that effectiveness of solar heaters
is highly variable depending on geography and quality of water heater, we will use the
commonly understood 60%, not the more scientific percentages such as can be generated
Schill and Tarsa offer a vacuum-tube collector costing 580 Euro per collector. They
recommend two collectors for a household of four, priced at 580 Euro per panel. Prices
are additional necessary equipment such as electrical regulator, circulation pump and
plumbing plus installation costs bringing the final cost to about 780,000 forints. A system
such as this would have a pay back time of twenty-two years, seventeen without a water
tank. Naplopo offers a similar system for 773,750 forints. Estimate the payback period
for a complete system (with a water tank) as being 15 years. The payback period for the
3000 m3 consumer would be reduced to three and a half years and Marton’s payback
40
The thirty percent subsidy for home improvements previously available under the Energy
Saving Program of the Szechenyi Plan would change the picture somewhat. The payback
The average monthly wage in Hungary in 2004 was 93,783 Forints (ITD Hungary). So a
solar collector built by DIY would represent an investment of two weeks wages. For an
individual earning minimum wage this would be closer to four weeks wages.
Weiss’ comparison (1993) of the payback costs in Austria describe the cost of
(Euro 5354-8788) and 35-40,000 for Self-built systems (Euro 2544-3100). “In 2003 the
median gross annual income of the 3.57 million gainfully employed persons (not
monthly salary of 1809 Euro. A self build system would require an investment of
between one and two months salary and a commercial system about 4 to 5 month’s salary.
Weiss’s cost calculations include the price of a 500 liter and 6 to 10 meters square of solar
collector.
As noted before Hubacek et al claim the payback period for commercial water heaters in
Austria to have been 44 years for a five person house, 25 years for a new building and 9
The payback time ratio between a commercial system (without a water tank) in Hungary
and a self-built system in Hungary is a little more than three to one (about 3.14). This is a
41
smaller ratio than the ratio between a commercial system installed in a pre-existing house
and a self built heater (44 years to 9 years or about 4.9 to one) and greater than the ratio
between new buildings and a self-constructed system (25 to 9 about 2.7)(Pay back period
Ratio may be deceptive however. The collectors sold by Schill and Tarsa and Naplopo
are vacuum tube collectors which have a higher efficiency rating than flat plat collectors.
Payback Periods
Care must be taken when interpreting payback data, for example, Hubacek et al’s give no
42
6. Discussion, Analysis and Recommendations
This section will consist of discussion of the findings, interpretation of what are the major
overcome.
A do-it-yourself solar heater is embodied as hardware in the collector, the labor used to
construct it, and the material used to construct and design it. The software element
consists of knowledge, such as how to construct a collector unit and how it operates. It is
part of a technology cluster on “general” technology such as water heater tanks, pipes and
technologies closely related to its operation such as heat regulators and construction such
as copper pipes, welding equipment and pipe turning and soldering tables.
The relative advantage of a DIY solar water heater is different depend on what is
considered to be the preceding innovation. It can potential have a long-term cost benefit
compared with conventional gas or electric heaters. If compared with commercial solar
heaters it has a cost advantage in terms of monetary expenses and a disadvantage in terms
compatible with existing household needs. On the national policy level, these kind of
technologies which have subtle long-term benefits and which involve renewable energy
do not seem compatible with certain notions of development and how to provide for
energy needs. Solar water heating, in general, is low in complexity. However, the
43
example, would not feel capable to do the pipe and electrical work that the subjects he
However, heaters exhibit a high degree of observability, neighbors can see the heaters, as
There has been a large degree of re-invention involved in the history of construction of
self-build water heaters in Hungary and Austria (Ornetzeder and Rohracher 2003). In
Austria group leaders altered the design of systems based on feedback from participants.
Although the EKE stick firmly by their design (citing cost-effectiveness) the actual
participants, such as Peter Marton, have gone so far as to draw up their own designs and
Both mass media and interpersonal communication are important means by which solar
water heating diffuses. Both Marton and Mr. B. used information from the Internet to aid
supplement other information. If a larger sample size of participants who use self-build
could be obtained, it would be interesting to see what are the main sources of information
The innovation-diffusion process in our case is one which should be measured in terms of
years. As Peter M. had stated he had been interested in building a heater for years. This
is known as the persuasion stage, doing which he was forming his opinions about the
technology and whether to adopt it. Whatever time he has aware of solar water heating
44
before that was his knowledge stage. His decision stage occurring sometime during
around the time of the Esztergom workshop. Implementation began when he started
construction of the his system which, for him, lasted several months. Peter is now is the
confirmation stage, seeing to what degree the heater will be effective in providing hot
water.
It is not possible to determine at this point in time the ultimate potential for diffusion of
the self-build heater. It is hard to project, given the lack of statistical data what the shape
of the diffusion curve may even look like. The Hungarian interviewees are, however,
degree they match the profile of innovators, highly educated, higher income. Mr. B also
The Austrian case in contrast was characterized by early adopters who were low-income,
rural farmers. This is atypical of the finding that are reported most diffusion studies
(REF?) and part of what make the phenomena of interest for study by Austrian
researchers.
Is also only possible to conjecture as to the rate of adoption that will occur in Hungary.
In Austria the rate of adoption is best measured in years. The first solar heater was built
by the Styrian inventors in 1979 and the movement was dormant until1983 when 10
heaters were built. Hungary’s limited success so far, if compared to the early years of the
movement in Austria, does not seem off track if one were to look forward to potential
success not necessarily in the next few years, but rather in the next decade or two.
What constitutes the social systems involved in this study can be looked at in different
ways. Austrians and Hungarians can be seen as heterophilous members of the European
45
community or Austria and Hungary can be each themselves two distinct social or ever
smaller units such as regions can be looked at (e.g. Styria and various Bundelander in
Austria). For the purposes of this thesis the most useful size of system to examine is
country.
The representatives in Turkeve and Esztergom who run the DIY workshop are both
change agents, serving the same functions that the AEE and group leaders in Austria did.
The AAE’s technique relied on groups working together while the Hungarian
organizations target individuals. In the AAE’s case a collective decision was required in
required. In Hungary the decision is a hybrid because the decision is made primarily by
an individual but building projects do require some outside help. Though the decision to
begin a project is dependent on one individual, a decision by one or two other people to
help is required (especially during installation i.e. lifting the unit into place)
6.2 Discussion
Self-build techniques can significantly reduce the cost of a solar heater in Hungary (see
section 5.5.1). When care istaken in keeping costs low (the Marton case) the price can be
reduce to nearly one quater the cost of a commercial heater. Even in cases where less
care was taken in finding the least cost options, saving versus the cost of a commerical
system can be achieved (as was the case with B and C).
Attempts to spread the DIY movement beyond the borders of Austria have, especially in
46
evidence of such success. However, since a small town such as Buda Kalas (7900
inhabitants [Vendegvaro no date]) had at least three self-builders, is it not possible that
other innovators like them exist in other parts of the country and their efforts not yet
documented?
There is a perception from both inside and outside Austria that there is lack of social
cohesiveness in Eastern Europe. Assuming this bears some truth, can any country be
monolithic in this respect? Can there be variation within a country or region? It does not
Furthermore, social cohesiveness on the community level does not seem to be the pre-
requisite that in was in Austria for all self-build projects. Assistance in installation can be
obtained within the family as was shown in the case of Marton and Mr. B.
There are differences in the degree of knowledge that exists regarding attempts to
promote DIY in Austria and knowledge about DIY in Eastern Europe. There are no
formal studies in countries like Hungary, of the potential for DIY to promote solar water
heating. Emphasis here is on potential. In Austria studies focused on events that had
already taken place, a phenomena that had nearly run its course by the time of the first
Emphasis in previous research has been placed on the necessary pre-conditions for
dissemination and the method by which the movement was promoted. However,
enhance the usefulness of the technology. Can the Austrian Do-It-Yourself movement be
47
One way to approach the question of promoting a renewable energy, such as solar water,
is to how to make it more accessible for low-income family and communities. One’s first
instinct is to think of ways of “bringing it to the people” such as lowering by using a DIY
or group-build approach and raising public awareness about renewables. Perhaps in the
long run “the people will be brought to the innovation”. The “classic” innovator or early
adopter is male, in his early adult life (20-40s), well-educated (especially with technical
training), relatively wealthy and cosmopolite. If the wealth was better distributed to rural
population or if more women sought out technical degrees, etc, would this create a larger
market for innovations? Rogers (2003) suggest that innovators will tend to be a small
part of any social system. Assuming this is true, is this because of inherent qualities of
human nature or because access to education and wealth is concentrated among certain
segments of society?
The following is a list obstacles to using DIY to promoting solar heating in Hungary and
possible solutions
1. Gas prices are low in Hungary due to government subsidies. While it is unlikely
the Hungarian government will cease its subsidization of gas prices in Hungary
methods of heating that the International Energy Agency has already suggested
that subsidies be phased out. However, a decrease in subsidies is not likely to find
48
political support, especially considering the uncertainty as to whether suitable
renewable substitutes can replace. Shifting subsidies away from fossil fuels
towards renewables could target the motion of the market in the right direction
better.
It is impractical to simply pull the rug out from under the Hungarian public by
entirely removing subsidies. Once the market for renewables was further
strengthened and alternatives made available to the general public, then the
by-year would not put undue burden on industry or consumer, yet at the same
time could create an atmosphere of anticipation that prices will increase in the
sources.
The market is moving in this direction already. Gas prices have been rising in
Hungary and if this continues more and more will seek out alternatives to fossil
fuels. The government should design policies which can help the market to
provide alternatives and enable the consumer to afford these alternative by means
of loans.
should penetrate in the sources of information that decision makers use. One
49
future area of research could be communication channels in Hungarian
3. Hungary does not have any national level office for renewable energy. Activities
relating to renewable energy are spread between the Ministry of Energy and
Transport, the Magyar Energia Hivatal and the Ministry of the Environment.
Such an office should be established to coordinate research on, funding for and
could serve such a role. Energia Klub recently organized a bio-mass workshop in
5. In the long-term, people can be “brought to the technology”. If, at the current
time, solar water heaters are too expensive and self-build too complicated for
lower income Hungarians without technical training, then the answer may simply
groups, like Roma, and assuring access to, as well as encouraging pursuance of,
higher education.
50
6. So-called lack of social cohesiveness prevents the same kind of diffusion scenario
low-cost renewable in Central and Eastern Europe claims that there is a lack of
social cohesiveness at the local community level and that cooperation and trust
are contained rather in the family unit. Issues and solutions related to this issue:
(a) Further study of the relationship between technology and the social structure
enjoyable experience) they are not absolutely necessary. Three Hungarians had
done projects on a solo basis (with some assistance from family members). The
kind of group cohesiveness that was present in Styria does not seem to be a
prerequisite to transferability.
promoters who wish to try to promote DIY projects in their home countries can go
influencing factors, so are other factors such as passion for protecting the
environment or excitement for new technologies. Advocates can help create this
“excitement” and, more importantly, by seeking out their target audience find
communities will the correct pre-conditions. When the movement takes hold in a
51
community such as this, a “critical mass” can be reached. Successful trials in one
and the organizations which promote it. Problems that exist in particular regions
9. There is a dearth of research and information on the potential, or even the current
state, of the solar heating market in Hungary. This, however, leaves the field of
research open for intriguing approaches. One attractive type of research for the
research of the sort where they learn how to build a solar collector, attempt to
involve a community in their home country and then survey the reactions of the
community.
It is high time for an “energy ethnography” such as the type which looks at the
energy lifestyle of Hungarians and the means they use to obtain energy, such as
the type written by Wilhite et al (1996) comparing lighting and heating habits in
Norway and Japan and by Agbemabiese, Berko and Du Pont (1996) concerning
situation) could serve many purposes. Asides from being interesting in its own
be obtained from a country in which institutional funds and support are more
52
could bring to light what solitary study can not reveal. “A cross-cultural
Benedict (1946) put it “Nothing is more helpful to the anthropologist (and this
could well apply to any social scientist) than to study contrast he finds between
A simple version of these cross-cultural studies could make for interesting future
language for Hungarians to speak (especially for the older generation and in the
West) and so a study of how energy needs are met in Austro-Hungarian villages
53
7.1 Summary
The DIY solar heater movement has run its course in Austria. A large number of water
heaters were built using this method and the interest it created prepared the market for the
commercial market. The improved market and its resultant lower costs made the cost
advantage of self-build less significant. Solar water heaters were the right fit for Eastern
Styria and rural Austria. Whether it could be the right fit in Hungary remains to be seen.
Attempts to promote DIY in Eastern Europe (as well as Switzerland and Germany) have
been only have not given evidence of widespread success (although lack of evidence does
dissemination has not yet been successful, such as lack of social cohesion and low gas
prices, no formal study has been conducted on DIY in Eastern Europe, and as such, any
The precondition of large groups willing to work together on a common project, which
were necessary in Austria during the peak of its self-build movement may not necessary
not neccesarily a pre-condition in the Hungarian case since self-build can be almost
entirely by individuals.
Clear obstacles to dissemination in Hungary can be identified including low gas costs,
lack of research which identifies energy needs in rural areas, no centralized renewable
energy office in the Hungarian and a lack of funding for new projects, as well as
uncertain funding for existing ones. Further research, forward looking policy changes, an
54
approach to challenges can pave the way for a second, international, DIY solar water
heater movement.
55
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Fabias, A., Servant M., Gallo, R., Betlido P., Sotelino, E. Quiles E., Frigiero A.,
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Fink and Blumel. 2002. Soltherm Europe – Market analysis. Soltherm Europe. Available
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berlin.de/ffu/akumwelt/bc2003/proceedings/319%20-%20337%20fischer.pdf
http://www.opet-solar.org/datapool/page/1114/Summary.pdf
Hoffman, J, Wells, J. and Guiney, W. 1998. Transforming the market for solar water
heaters: A new model to build a permanent sales force. REPP Renewable Energy
http://www.statistik.at/englisch/results/population/income_txt2.shtml
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Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency (ITD Hungary). 2005. Hungary
http://www.itd.hu/itdh/static/uploaded/document/Hungary%202005.pdf
John, T., Kelly, H., Reddy, A. and Williams, R. 1992. Renewable fuels and electricity for
Lovins, A., Lovins, L., Krause, F. and Bach, W. 1981. Least-cost energy: Solving the
network.net/opetnetworkinfo/19992001activities/pdf/OPET-HUNGARY-644.doc.pdf.
Accessed 2005
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Organisations for Promotion of Energy Technologies Network. Accessed 2005. Available
http://www.cordis.lu/opet/about_opet.htm
pg. 1099-1110.
http://essp.csumb.edu/capstone/
Twidell, J. and Weir, T. 2000. Renewable energy resources. London. E & FN Spon.
United States Department of Energy. 2004. Solar History Timeline: 7th Century B.C. to
http://www.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_time_7bc-1200ad.html
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Whilhite, H., Nakagami, H., Masuda, Yamaga, Y. and Haneda H. 1996. A cross-cultural
analysis of household energy use behavior in Japan and Norway. Energy Policy.
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Personal Communications
Ledzenyi, Andras. Representative from the EKE. Formal interview. Esztergom, Hungary
July20, 2005
Monoki, Akos. Nature conservation program lead and renewable energy advisory
NIMFEA nature park. Formal Interview Turkeve, Hungary June 16, 2005
Ornetzeder, Micheal. 2005. Sociologist with the Centrum for Social Innovation. Formal
Rohracher, Harald. director of the Inter-University Research Centre for Technology, Work
and Culture (IFZ) in Graz and research fellow at the Department of Research on
Schill, Jula. Owner of Tarsa and Schill Bt. a company in Budapest which sells and
installs vacuum tube solar collectors. Budapest. Formal interview July 14, 2005.
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Schwarzler, Gunther. Involved in the Austrian Do-it-Yourself movement doing its hey-
Mr. A. A self-builder. Buda Kalas, Hungary. Interview (with translator) in July 6, 2005
Mr. C. First representative from the Magyar Energia Hiatal. Budapest. Formal interview
Mr. D. Second representative from the Magyar Energia Hivatal. Budapest. Informal
Mr. E. Owner of a security technology company in Budapest who sells solar systems as
part of retail activities. Buydapestt. Formal Interview July 19, 2005.
Mr. F. Representative of Naplopo, a solar collector dealer. Phone conversation in July
21, 2005
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Appendix A
Interviews were semi-structured. The nature of the research as exploratory and expertise
vary.
Opener
“When did you first here about/ get involved with DIY?” “How long …?””What was the
nature of your involvement?”
“What have been the positives and negatives of your experience?”(This can apply for
anyone)
Topic Areas
Innovation
“ How did DIY develop and evolve”(I may already know but I want to get their version)
History/Spread
“ How did DIY spread?” “Why did the EU/Styria regional government /Austrian
government decide to adopt it?” (Again even if I already know a version it’s interesting to
get their version)
Technology
What equipment/ materials are needed?” ”How specialized are they i.e. are they available
everywhere or are some place just to remote to get access to them?”
“Did user input/ user design place a role in the technology’s development?”
Rural Development
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“Has DIY have any effect on the quality of social, economic or environmental life in the
rural areas of Styria/Austria/Hungary/Baltics etc?
Costs/Economics
“What are the costs per 10 m2 of installed solar collector” “What are the material costs?”
”What are the training costs” ”What are the institutional costs?” “How much funding has
been devoted on the municipal, regional, national, and EU level” “How much funding
would like to see committed to its development or implementation?” “Is the Inco-
Copernicus program investing enough or providing enough institutional support”
“As DIY solar became more popular in Austria did unit costs increase or decrease?” ”Did
materials cost go up or down?” (How far I go in this particular direction will depend on
expertise of the interviewee)
“How did the setting of a conversion standard of 0.7 kWth/m2 come about?” (Who was
involved, how why)
Policy
“What sort of policies are in place to support the movement” “Which policies work the
best” “Does it differ from region to region?” “What other policies would you like to see?”
Social Capital
Does social capital/ social cohesion playa role is a DIY project’s success?”
Problems/Failures
“To your knowledge has DIY been tried anywhere and proven unsuccessful?” “What
were the reasons?” (If uncertain why ask more specific questions such as “Was it too
isolated/ too poor/no funding/ lack of social cohesion/ lack of motivation)
Potential
“What do you feel should be the criteria for selecting a region for implementation of
DIY?” “What criteria is currently being used” ”What regions/countries fit this criteria?”
“Would a technology like DIY help your country/region/city exploit it’s solar energy
potential?” or phrased for a Hungarian expert “Since Hungary has a greater potential for
solar energy than many European countries how is it going about exploiting that
potential?” “Does DIY fit into the picture?”
Closing Questions
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“Who else should I talk to?”
“Can I contact you again?”
Questions were of course adapted to fit the person being interviewed and to address new
issues that were discovered during the course of the research, such as the decline of the
Austrian Do-it-yourself movement. The following is an example of such an adapted
interview protocol.
Though the movement seems to have died out in Austria, the purpose of my research is to
ascertain to what degree the technique has for making renewable energy affordable and
accessible in Eastern Europe, especially in underdeveloped rural areas. The research will
focus, for practical reasons on Hungary, but the experience in any of the CEE is
important. Where has the attempt been most successful and least? To what do you
attribute this success of failure?
Diffusion methods
In what ways can the technique or the advocacy thereof be adapted to the character of
Eastern Europe?
To what degree is language or culture or political climate a relevant factor in the success
or failure of the technique in any particular setting?
Policy Support
Though DIY is largely a bottom-up phenomena, top-down support has proven neccesay
to expand the geographical reach of the movement (the institutionalization of the AEE,
government funding)? What kind of top-down support is available (E.U.,local
government, organizations like AEE)? What more would you like to see? What can be
done better?
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The length of interviews was also variable. For example, one interviewee in the Magyar
Energia Hivatal, was consulted regarding gas prices and usage. The interviewee
professed to having little knowledge of about solar water heater and was definitely not
an expert. As a result the interview consisted of four questions.
Prices
Are gas prices, year by year, generally rising, falling or staying the same each year in
Hungary?
Usage
How much gas does the average Hungarian family use? What percentage is used for
water heating?
Institutional support
What is the likelihood of the development of a branch of the Magyar Energia Hivatal
dedicated to renewable energy sources?
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Appendix B
The following information was supplied to the author by Peter Marton in the form of an
Excel document entitled “kollectorkoltseg”. The document was reformatted in order to
fit the thesis document.
67
Saját keretbe 3db 2*1m
Ft/kollekt 3
or kollektorra:
41,375 124,125
Hasznos kollektorfelület m2: 1.9 5.8
A sor végére:
68
Összesen: 45,025 127,775
Ft/m2 kollektorfelület: 23,451 22,183
38,696 116,088
Hasznos kollektorfelület m2: 1.8 5.4
A sor végére:
69
Összesen: 42,346 119,738
Ft/m2 kollektorfelület: 23,526 22,174
Rézcsövek 10,000
pincei szerelvények 33,000
Fakeret anyag 8,000
csavarok 4,000
Polikarbonát és kieg 55,000
réz 60,000
bádog 10,000
Hoszigetelés 5,600
Rézcsövek 5,000
Tágulási tartály 6,800
Összesen: 197,400
Összesen/m2: 26,679
70