The adoption of a solar photovoltaic (PV) distributed system is not only a technological advancement and economic trend, but also a cultural phenomenon. In addressing the following four perspectives: 1) the spread of sustainability concepts; 2) current Chinese architectural practices; 3) centralized vs. distributed energy structure; and, 4) the trade wars among several Western countries and China, this research bridges the gap between cultural discussions and technology adoption, especially in the solar PV field. Specifically, this paper demonstrates culturally driven practices in China and their implications for a solar PV distributed system adoption. This paper then applies Hofstede's six dimensions of national culture to further demonstrate the opportunities and challenges associated with the adoption of a solar PV rooftop system. Implications suggest that cultural factors are the enablers and disablers for PV adoption, an observation that policy makers should consider in order to develop better strategies when engaging in cross-cultural discourse.