*2.8. Crowdfunding Model for Ireland*

A review of crowdfunding alternatives associated with renewable energy projects was conducted, demonstrating the use of different types of crowdfunding model [7].

To forecast the potential of System Dynamics of Solar Crowdfunding (SCF) in Ireland this study incorporates a simulation model which is developed based on system dynamics which uses causal loop diagrams and stock-loop diagrams to express the causal links and relationships between various factors that affect the SCF that represents the SCF market [46] Figure 3.

The SCF potentials refers to the total number of solar projects requiring finance. The SCF adopters are parties looking for private ownership in the project, SCF market saturation can occurs when the SCF adopters decrease as a result of more projects adopting SCF. The SCF adoption is primarily dependent on awareness of the SCF with greater numbers of adopters increasing awareness.

Three risk categories for investors are identified:


The motivation for funders involved in the case studies included: helping people in need of money for energy efficient technology and household appliances; the desire to reap a financial return from their contributions equating to non-trivial investment; desire to reap a financial return for their investment and to be involved as shareholders of the companies [7].

**Figure 3.** Causal loop diagrams [46].
