Demographic Patterns in the Aesthetic Acceptance of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics in Apartment Housing: Implications for Solar Energy Design and Policy

This study examines how demographic and socioeconomic characteristics shape the aesthetic perception of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in apartment housing. A survey of 418 respondents was conducted using visual scenarios showing PV integrated into rooftops, facades, balconies, and windows. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Scheffé post hoc tests, multiple regression, and thematic analysis of open-ended responses. The results indicate that aesthetic responses to BIPV are not uniform across user groups. Younger respondents, participants with higher educational attainment, and respondents working in energy or technical fields tended to be more receptive to certain forms of BIPV integration, while architecture and design professionals were generally more critical of visually dominant applications. Rooftop PV received the highest overall ratings, while façade- and balcony-integrated applications generated greater disagreement. The regression models explained only a limited share of the variance, indicating that demographic factors are associated with broad perception patterns but do not strongly predict individual aesthetic judgement. The study offers context-specific evidence for facade-sensitive design guidance, retrofit prioritisation, and targeted stakeholder engagement in Jordan, with only cautious relevance to comparable settings pending cross-cultural validation.