Development of innovation systems for small island states: A functional analysis of the Barbados solar water heater industry

Technological innovation systems: a review of recent findings and suggestions for future research

“…However, in early phases of development several studies find that the uncertain function and performance of new technologies make stakeholders question their value and ability to provide a solution to current problems (Agbemabiese et al 2012;Andreasen and Sovacool 2015;Binz et al 2012;Eastwood et al 2017). This implies that demonstration and trials that confirm performance, or even a few years of experience with a technology without any apparent problems, can be important legitimation mechanisms (Bento and Fontes 2015a;Binz et al 2016;Haley 2015), but also that disappointing results from early experiments and technical problems associated with early products can have delegitimising effects (Eastwood et al 2017;Edsand 2017;Fevolden and Klitkou 2017;Goess et al 2015;McDowall et al 2013;Rogers 2016). Confirming the technology's performance through independent assessments by experts and scientists is also legitimating, but lack of evaluation standards and mistrust in experts might limit the effects of such efforts (Andersson et al 2017;Binz et al 2016;Vergragt et al 2011).…”

Barriers of solar energy uptake and the potential for mitigation solutions in Barbados

“…It is unclear whether the 10MW solar farm input is included in the RER growth plot. SWH systems do not produce electricity but have been integrated into Barbados' built environment since the 1960s for showering, cooking and cleaning purposes [22,51]. SWH research and the commercial industry first started in the 1960s and 1970s respectively [52,53].…”

“…The industry was supported by Government through the Fiscal Incentive Act of 1974 which granted tax exemptions of 20% for imported SWH raw materials, lowering installation costs by 5-10%. A 60% consumption tax on electric water heaters was applied to render them unattractive [22,54]. The first large-scale Government SWH project was commissioned for a housing development in 1975, after which 1200 SWH units were further installed on four additional housing developments [28,53].…”

“…It is estimated that accomplishing these targets would save the country more than USD 283.5 million in electricity costs [20,21]. It must be noted however that, considering all the RE resources in Barbados, solar energy is the most viable source (average solar irradiance of 5.4 kWh/m 2 /day), hence considered as the main RE source to achieve these targets [22].…”

“…The barriers identified for solar water heaters (SWH), solar photovoltaics and hybrid photovoltaics/thermal were: limited access to capital, incomplete information, lack of policies governing the injection of renewable energy resources into the grid and economic regulatory distortion [21]. Focused on SWH systems, Rogers [22], identified lack of incentives, information and innovation as some of the barriers hindering further market penetration. However, to date, the barriers relating to the uptake of other solar energy resources have not been investigated.…”