Value-Added Cooperative model in renewable energy investment:

Abstract

The Fifth The cooperative investment model in renewable energy presents a transformative opportunity for citizen-led participation in the global energy transition. This paper investigates the added value of cooperative business models in the renewable energy sector, focusing on how cooperatives can effectively structure and operate successful energy institutions. Guided by resource-based theory, which emphasises leveraging internal resources and community capacities, the study employs a systematic literature review of empirical case studies and best practices from various cooperative contexts. The findings suggest that renewable energy cooperatives provide distinct advantages, including enhanced community engagement, local economic empowerment, and reduced dependence on centralized fossil-fuel-based energy systems. However, cooperatives also encounter substantial challenges, such as limited access to capital, regulatory barriers, and the necessity for sustained member participation. Key features identified in valuable cooperative investment models include collective financing mechanisms, local ownership, and democratic governance, which together promote inclusive, sustainable energy development. Also, it was found that, cooperatives can venture in renewable energy by challenging the traditional dominance of large-scale energy corporations, cooperatives act as alternative business models capable of delivering both environmental and social value. This paper contributes to the academic discourse on sustainable energy transitions by offering insights into how cooperative frameworks can align with renewable energy investment strategies and community development goals