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Business model translation—The case of spreading a business model for solar energy

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  • Ahlgren Ode, Kajsa
  • Lagerstedt Wadin, Jessica

Abstract

Distributed solar photovoltaic systems are considered an important renewable energy source for meeting renewable energy targets and mitigating climate change. In several markets, emerging firms have established new business models to offer residential customers solar panel systems. In California, the third-party ownership business model has been successfully established during the last decade, and is currently spreading to other markets. Through a longitudinal case study, this paper explores how a startup firm in the Netherlands set up the third-party ownership business model on the Dutch market. The case shows that the process of bringing a business model to a new market is not sufficiently understood as a process of diffusion. Alternatively, it is a process of business model translation, in which the actors involved play a central role in adapting and successfully establishing the business model in a new market. The results have implications for both practitioners and policy makers, as well as the emerging literature on business models for sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahlgren Ode, Kajsa & Lagerstedt Wadin, Jessica, 2019. "Business model translation—The case of spreading a business model for solar energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 23-31.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:133:y:2019:i:c:p:23-31
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.09.036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yamashiro, Ririka & Mori, Akihisa, 2023. "Combined third-party ownership and aggregation business model for the adoption of rooftop solar PV–battery systems: Implications from the case of Miyakojima Island, Japan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    2. Bankel, Amanda & Mignon, Ingrid, 2022. "Solar business models from a firm perspective – an empirical study of the Swedish market," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    3. Paraskevi Giourka & Mark W. J. L. Sanders & Komninos Angelakoglou & Dionysis Pramangioulis & Nikos Nikolopoulos & Dimitrios Rakopoulos & Athanasios Tryferidis & Dimitrios Tzovaras, 2019. "The Smart City Business Model Canvas—A Smart City Business Modeling Framework and Practical Tool," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Specht, Jan Martin & Madlener, Reinhard, 2019. "Energy Supplier 2.0: A conceptual business model for energy suppliers aggregating flexible distributed assets and policy issues raised," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).

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