How do developing country constraints affect renewable energy entrepreneurs?

Abstract

Renewable energy entrepreneurs in developing countries are selling and facilitating the uptake of a new technology and new ideas in an already difficult environment. We explore entrepreneurs' perceptions of the constraints they face while operating their businesses. We used two stages of analysis — primary data from individual entrepreneurs and country level secondary data. The primary data included in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, as well as their self-ranking of constraints via a questionnaire. Findings emphasised the importance of government/regulatory and local market constraints. To contextualise these findings, we compared the individual-level findings to country-level conditions to assess whether they have any bearing on the entrepreneurs' perceptions of constraints. Country conditions may influence the entrepreneurs' perceptions of the demand for their products and/or services, and their opportunity and ability to supply these to customers. These may be influencing whether and how the entrepreneurs perceive and respond to opportunities to carry on with their renewable energy businesses.