Table 4 Effects on the expanding niche from added value
From: The role of values for niche expansion: the case of solar photovoltaics on large buildings in Sweden
Niche-regime interaction | Added values | Effects from added values |
|---|---|---|
Role development through value creation | Sustainability, fair cost, active engagement, and increased knowledge of the energy system | • Positive experience of becoming an electricity producer. • Added values encourage owners to take on the role as infrastructure developers in a decentralized electricity system. |
Social network development in the expanding niche | Sustainability, positive atmosphere, and fair cost | • Decentralized ownership of solar PV increases sustainability in all three dimensions: environmental, social, and financial. • The shaping of a social identity among the group of niche advocates. |
Inclusions of regime actors | Induced innovativeness, fair cost, sustainability, increased knowledge of the energy system, and active engagement | • The importance of how solar PV values relate to values from other regime actors, i.e., the property companies and housing companies, in the development of the niche specific social network. • Values from solar PV affect regime actor and shape new organizational values. • Added values create new opportunities for utilities. • Added values can shape the reformation of utilities to become niche advocates for decentralized ownership of solar PV. |
Niche empowerment | Induced innovativeness, fair cost, and increased knowledge of the energy system | • Decentralized ownership of solar PV mostly stretches current regulatory regimes. • This is sanctioned by the Swedish government and displays a shifted mindset. |