Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic (PV) systems, fulfilling a function
of a building and therefore allowing synergy effects by substituting the ordinary envelope of a
building. The purpose of this thesis is, first, to understand and explain the evolution of BIPV
technology within the German and French technological systems for solar cells and, second,
to contribute to the theory on technological innovation systems by adding elements from the
multi-level perspective on technological transition. We apply the structural as well as the
functional analyses described in the technological innovation system (TIS) approach and
complete these analyses by elements of the multi-level perspective on technological transition
to investigate the evolution of BIPV. Furthermore, conclusions and policy implications are
drawn out of a cross-country comparison of the German and French cases.
In Germany, a large amount of resources has been allocated to PV research since the 1970s.
Furthermore, since the end of the 1970s a strong green movement emerged favouring
renewable energy in general. Demonstration and market formation programmes in the 1990s
lay the ground to build the biggest market for photovoltaic systems worldwide in 2007. In
contrast, in France 78 percent of the electricity were produced by nuclear power in 2006 and
the PV capacity installed is still very low. Photovoltaics have suffered from a low policy
interest and the strong resistance of the national electricity utility Electricité de France,
blocking their diffusion. Nevertheless, in July 2006, a strong feed-in tariff with a special
bonus for BIPV systems was implemented, giving hope to the development of a market and
an industry for PV.
First, we conclude that in Germany and France, landscape changes had different impacts on
the technological innovation systems for solar cells, which resulted in different paths for their
development. The German system has shifted to a growth phase, whereas the French remains
in a formative phase. We underline that BIPV systems interact with and face barriers of two
regimes: the electricity supply regime and the building regime. Since barriers, such as long
permission procedures, from the electricity supply regime against PV remain in France, BIPV
are regarded as an opportunity for market formation. Indeed, BIPV may benefit from the
support of the building regime and hence overcome barriers from the electricity supply
regime. In contrast, in Germany BIPV are seen as a small niche for PV to diversify into.
The evolution of BIPV in the German and French TIS for solar cells
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However, the development of BIPV is hindered by building regime’s institutions such as
building codes, which require long and expensive certification procedures. In addition, in
France the lack of architects involved in BIPV slows down the diffusion of building
integrated systems. In Germany a premature lock-in situation favouring additive on-roof
systems, may hamper the growth of the BIPV market.
Second, we identified that the TIS theory may not fully cover the transition from one system
to another and may lack insights regarding the origin of external forces. Therefore, we suggest
that these weaknesses can be reduced by borrowing the niche, regime and landscape levels
from the multi-level perspective on technological transition. Particularly, the evolution of
BIPV i...
