SHINING LIGHT ON EUROPEAN BIPV A Survey of Dependence and Fragmentation in the Emerging European Value Chain for Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Abstract

Derived from the ongoing climate crisis and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) aims for climate neutrality as well as energy independence through a green transition. To achieve this, several policies have been proposed and implemented. Some of these policies provide support to the development of renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaics (PV). Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is a particular PV technology that could support this transition by making European buildings sources of renewable energy. Recent disruptions in global value chains have demonstrated the importance of developing domestic European Net-Zero industries for Europe to achieve climate neutrality and energy independence. Therefore, this thesis aims to investigate the status and dependency of the European BIPV industry. This has been done by interviewing domestic producers of BIPV and analyzing the results within the framework of Technological Innovation Systems and Multi-level Perspective Theory. The analysis of the upstream value chain showed that the European BIPV industry is highly dependent on non-European countries for the supply of key components. BIPV producers are also required to fulfill regulations for both PV products and building, which results in time-consuming and complicated processes for some of the BIPV producers. It was identified that a lack of knowledge exists in the form of lack of awareness and understanding of the technology, as well as a lack of specific expertise. From the perspective of BIPV producers, this lack of knowledge is true for actors along the value chain such as architects and installers, but also for other actors such as investors and policymakers. The current European policy supports the development of BIPV, however, there are some gaps, such as more specific regulation, that need to be addressed for a more effective green transition and diffusion of this renewable energy technology.