Co-creation and ownership: rethinking technology implementation through community participation in rural Limpopo

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Introduction Decentralized renewable energy systems are increasingly promoted as solutions to rural energy poverty in South Africa, yet their long-term sustainability depends not only on technical performance but also on social and institutional processes. Many rural energy initiatives have followed top-down implementation models that position households as passive recipients, often resulting in poor adoption, weak maintenance capacity, and eventual system failure. This study examines renewable energy implementation in rural Limpopo through the lens of co-creation and ownership, exploring how varying levels of community participation influence adoption, maintenance, and sustained use of clean energy technologies. Methods A qualitative case study approach was employed across three rural villages exposed to different renewable energy implementation models. Data were collected through in-depth household interviews, focus group discussions, and twelve key informant interviews involving installers, municipal officials, NGO representatives, extension officers, cooperative leaders, and trained youth technicians. Thematic analysis was used to compare experiences across communities and identify the relationship between participation practices and system sustainability outcomes. Results The findings reveal clear differences between villages with limited participation and those adopting participatory implementation approaches. In communities where participation was minimal and technical training limited, households expressed uncertainty regarding system operation and maintenance, relied heavily on external technicians, and experienced lower long-term system sustainability. By contrast, programmes that incorporated labour contributions, structured training, local capacity building, and feedback mechanisms fostered stronger ownership, improved technical confidence, and more consistent long-term use of renewable energy technologies. Participants in these villages also demonstrated greater willingness to maintain systems collectively and support local troubleshooting initiatives. Discussion The study demonstrates that co-creation is not merely a normative ideal but a practical determinant of renewable energy system durability in rural contexts. Embedding participation throughout planning, installation, and post-installation phases strengthens local capacity, builds trust, and aligns technology implementation with household priorities and local realities. By grounding the analysis in lived experiences, this research provides empirical evidence supporting participatory governance in rural energy transitions and offers actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking more inclusive and sustainable clean energy models aligned with national development objectives and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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