Masculine roles and practices in homes with photovoltaic systems

Privately owned, domestic photovoltaic (PV) panels can play an important role in the transition to a low-carbon society by producing renewable energy for the grid and engaging households in energy management. In both aspects, gender is an issue, leading to the development of new theoretical concepts, e.g. the ‘resource man’, the ‘flexibility woman’ and the ‘mother-multiple’. However, a deeper understanding of the role of masculinity may reveal gender complicity and can inform the design of these technologies to be more inclusive. This ethnographic study investigates masculine roles, practices and domesticities for energy management activities in the home. It examines Danish PV owners as domestic prosumers based on in-depth qualitative interviews of 18 participants in 12 households. The use of PV technologies (and their interfaces) reproduces
several masculine domesticities that work both productively and counterproductively with feminine domesticities. Technology and energy management are often situated as male hobbies related to masculine self-expression, identity and homemaking. To unlock the full potential of sustainable energy engagement consumption and practices, both masculine and feminine approaches are needed at the conceptual and practical levels.