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Comparing the Technology Trajectories of Solar PV and Solar Water Heaters in China: Using a Patent Lens

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  • Yawei Wang

    (School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Frauke Urban

    (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 10044 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Yuan Zhou

    (School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Luyi Chen

    (School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

China invests more in renewable energy than any other countries, such as in solar energy. The traditional literature maintains that these government-supported industries are more innovative than grassroots industries such as solar or thermal, which leads to debate. This study uses mixed methods, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to compare the technology trajectories of leading solar water heater (SWH) and solar photovoltaic (PV) firms in China. It concentrates on the following three aspects: trajectories of key technologies, patent citation network, and type of collaboration. Our analyses show that technology trajectories differ significantly between leading SWH firms and PV firms in China. We find that the Chinese SWH firms are core to international knowledge networks, and are following a market-driven innovation mode. In contrast, Chinese PV firms are close to the center of the network and government-driven. Research suggests that grassroots innovation, by doing, using, and interaction (DUI), can create short-term market development models relying on China’s traditional industry model, but cannot create a long-term international leading innovation model; only integrated science, technology, innovation modes (STI), and DUI innovation modes tend to result in international leadership in innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Yawei Wang & Frauke Urban & Yuan Zhou & Luyi Chen, 2018. "Comparing the Technology Trajectories of Solar PV and Solar Water Heaters in China: Using a Patent Lens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-29, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:11:p:4166-:d:182318
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    2. Ozoegwu, Chigbogu G. & Akpan, Patrick U., 2021. "A review and appraisal of Nigeria's solar energy policy objectives and strategies against the backdrop of the renewable energy policy of the Economic Community of West African States," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    3. Sungho Son & Nam-Wook Cho, 2020. "Technology Fusion Characteristics in the Solar Photovoltaic Industry of South Korea: A Patent Network Analysis Using IPC Co-Occurrence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Zhenfu Li & Yixuan Wang & Zhao Deng, 2022. "Research on Evolution Characteristics and Factors of Nordic Green Patent Citation Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    5. Gao, Xue & Zhang, Yi, 2022. "What is behind the globalization of technology? Exploring the interplay of multi-level drivers of international patent extension in the solar photovoltaic industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    6. Jihong Chen & Kai Zhang & Yuan Zhou & Yufei Liu & Lingfeng Li & Zheng Chen & Li Yin, 2019. "Exploring the Development of Research, Technology and Business of Machine Tool Domain in New-Generation Information Technology Environment Based on Machine Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-38, June.
    7. Su, Yu-Shan & Huang, Hsini & Daim, Tugrul & Chien, Pan-Wei & Peng, Ru-Ling & Karaman Akgul, Arzu, 2023. "Assessing the technological trajectory of 5G-V2X autonomous driving inventions: Use of patent analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).

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