Business Models of Distributed Solar Photovoltaic Power of China: The Business Model Canvas Perspective

Xiang Cai, Meiying Xie, Haijing Zhang, Zhenli Xu and Faxin Cheng
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Xiang Cai: Business School, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Meiying Xie: Business School, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Haijing Zhang: Business School, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Zhenli Xu: Business School, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Faxin Cheng: School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 16, 1-27

Abstract: China is a world leader in the global solar photovoltaic industry, and has rapidly expanded its distributed solar photovoltaic (DSPV) power in recent years. However, China’s DSPV power is still in its infancy. As such, its business model is still in the exploratory stage, and faces many developmental obstacles. This paper summarizes and analyzes the main obstacles that China’s DSPV power is facing in its development, using a literature analysis methodology. Then, previous business models, such as host-owned, energy management contract (EMC), and third-party-owned (TPO), were studied using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) as an analytical tool. Moreover, the Lean Canvas (LC) method was used to further conduct a synthesis and comparative analysis with the three models, describing how and to what extent these models can overcome identified obstacles. Finally, the study highlighted the dominant position of EMC model.

Keywords: DSPV power; barriers; business model; business model canvas; lean canvas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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