Abstract
ABSTRACTCompared to large-scale renewable energy systems, distributed systems have diffused relatively slowly in recent years, particularly in developing countries. In this study, we analysed the barriers to the diffusion of distributed photovoltaics in South Africa by applying the technological innovation system framework. More specifically, we carried out an interview-based structural-functional analysis to identify underlying systemic problems, reveal their patterns of interaction, and analyse the implications of these patterns for the relationship among the key processes within the innovation system, the so-called system functions. We identified a variety of interlinked problems, shed light on the specific roles of different, mal-performing, system functions, and revealed constellations where specific functions blocked each other and, thereby, created lock-in situations. Although the findings reveal the complexity of the problems that are associated with the implementation of distributed energy technologies, they also indicate that these problems may be addressed successfully.
Highlights
The decarbonisation of our society is one of the main challenges of the 21st century
Creation of legitimacy The most severe problem within the creation of legitimacy related to the resistance of the municipalities, which the interviewees unanimously made a subject of discussion (ACD, NGO, problems within knowledge development & diffusion (PRV), EDU)
The municipalities resisted against distributed photovoltaics, because they feared that a wide utilisation of this technology would lower the electricity demand of the end consumers and, eventually, the municipalities’ income
Summary
The decarbonisation of our society is one of the main challenges of the 21st century. To radically reduce fossil fuel consumption, countries all over the world will have to increase the use of renewable energy technologies (IEA and IRENA 2017). In this transition process, distributed types of renewable energy production and, in particular, distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies (i.e. residential, commercial and industrial applications) may play an important role as well (IEA and IRENA 2017). It’s rapidly growing renewable energy market, which has become one of the major markets in the global South, was mainly driven by large, utility-scale systems, whereas distributed PV systems lagged significantly behind (PQRS 2016)
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