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product suppliers, and service providers, can assist households in making decisions when installing
distributed PV systems.

This study proposes a phased approach. The initial priority should be the promotion of distributed PV in
households that have participated in government-related policies and have not been adversely affected by
extreme weather. This strategy is preferred over targeting economically well-off households or villages. It
also requires that local village committees first acquaint themselves with related policies and knowledge and
dispatch local people who share close relationships with villagers to guide the installation process so that
villagers can obtain low-carbon energy through distributed PV systems while improving their life quality
with minimum financial burdens.

The government needs to consistently refine its promotion policy for distributed PV for rural
households. This entails comprehensive planning and the establishment of related promotion standards,
along with pilot villages, to facilitate its implementation at the village level. These pilot programs should
encompass grid-connected standards, enterprise access standards, equipment operation standards, and
performance evaluations. It is especially crucial to establish an appropriate subsidy standard, as previous
studies have highlighted that reduced subsidies can considerably decline households’ willingness to install
distributed PV . Ultimately, the government’s focus should be on ensuring the efficient and stable
[16]
operation of photovoltaic systems, optimizing the cost burden on households, supervising the operation of
relevant enterprises and the provision of maintenance service, assessing the performance of village-level
photovoltaic initiatives, and establishing a long-term low-carbon management mechanism.

Photovoltaic companies should take the initiative to raise their standards and actively engage in formulation
of industry standards to support organized market participation. These companies shall prioritize the
provision of regular maintenance service, foster robust partnerships with relevant village committees,
ensure the consistent operation of the equipment, and base their market expansion efforts on the
satisfaction of users.

For the village committees, it is necessary to carry out in-depth policy advocacy by thoroughly
understanding the photovoltaic policies of the higher-level governments, including various environmental
protection and low-carbon initiatives. They should align the promotion with local customs to resonate with
villagers. In addition, village committees should fully understand the actual needs of residents and promote
the development of distributed PV systems to help them achieve multiple economic and low-carbon
benefits, thereby improving their life quality.

For rural households, it is essential to acquire knowledge related to PV systems and actively engage in low-
carbon and environmental protection activities that align with their needs, which has positive associations
[49]
with their distributed PV adoption intention . They should also be cautious about incurring excessive
financial burdens resulting from photovoltaic loans and prioritize regular inspection and maintenance to
ensure the optimal functioning of their photovoltaic systems.

Notably, as the share of intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar increases in the
power system, maintaining stability in the electricity grid becomes challenging. Therefore, as Shandong
develops distributed PV, it is important to enhance the flexibility of the power system. One strategy is to
encourage a significant number of coal-fired power plants within the province to participate in flexibility
supply through the implementation of the recently proposed capacity-based pricing mechanism by the
National Development and Reform Commission. Additionally, electrochemical energy storage holds great