Implementing solar photovoltaic systems in the built environment (BEPV) is critical for the construction sector’s contribution to mitigating climate change. While previous studies give various insights into innovation implementation, the challenges to value co-creation by construction actors remain underexplored. By studying the alignment of business ecosystems implementing BEPV in the Swedish built environment, we address this need. Drawing on the cumulative experience of construction actors, this study demonstrates how knowledge mislocation, knowledge deficits, cultural discrepancies, insufficient building codes, frequently changing regulations, and implementing a highly embedded innovation can disturb ecosystem alignment. The study contributes to the ecosystem literature, scholarly discussions of innovation implementation in complex construction projects, and the PV diffusion literature by offering insights into the realignment of ecosystems involving value co-creation by actors from previously unconnected industries. The study links PV diffusion research to the construction management literature by exploring the cumulative experience of implementation at the micro level. We highlight the significant industry reconfigurations required to accommodate a deeply embedded technological innovation, reconfigurations going beyond the challenges of implementing systemic innovations encumbered by fewer material dependencies. We also emphasize the critical importance of industrial interaction, coordination, and learning to accelerate the sustainability transition. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the process of implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in construction to contribute to the understanding of systemic innovation in construction.

Design/methodology/approach: The exploratory research presented is based on qualitative data collected in workshops and interviews with 76 construction- and solar-industry actors experienced in solar PV projects. Actor-specific barriers were identified and analysed using an abductive approach.

Findings: In light of established definitions of systemic innovation, the process of implementing solar PV systems in construction involves challenges regarding technical and material issues, competencies, and informal and formal institutions. The specificities of this case highlight the necessity of paying attention to details in the process and to develop knowledge of systemic innovation in construction since the industry’s involvement in addressing societal challenges related to the energy transition will require implementing such innovations much more in the future.

Practical implications: New knowledge of solar PV systems as an innovation in professional construction is collected, enabling the adaptation of management strategies for its implementation. This knowledge can also be applied generally to other challenges encountered in highly systemic innovation implementation. Solar industry actors can gain an understanding of solar-specific challenges for the construction industry, challenges for which they must adapt their activities.

Originality/value: The exploration of actor-specific experiences of solar PV projects has resulted in a novel understanding of this specific innovation and its implementation. The findings illustrate a case of a high level of systemic innovation and the need to use a finer-grained scale for classification when studying innovation in construction. © 2023, Charlotta Winkler.

Resurshushållning i kombination med småskalig, egen- och närproducerad el i direkt anslutning till där behoven finns har stor potential för att kraftigt reducera användandet av fossila energikällor. För att säkerställa detta krävs en snabbare ökning av implementering av solelanläggningar liksom andra innovationer i den byggda miljön. Tekniska egenskaper så som exempelvis verkningsgrad och eller teknisk utveckling för att möjliggöra montage eller installation är inte längre hinder för implementering. Tekniken är mogen, finns tillgänglig på marknaden och solcellsprojekt är lönsamma över tid. Ökningen i installerad effekt de senaste åren härrör dock till största del till en ökning av solcellsparker. Den stora potentialen för utbyggnation i den bebyggda miljön kvarstår.

Det övergripande målet med projektet var att identifiera, analysera och finna samband mellan hinder som står i vägen för ökad implementeringstakt av solcellsanläggningar i svenska flerbostadshus och lokaler. Projektet har genomförts i tre arbetspaket; (1) workshopar och intervjuer för att få en grundläggande förståelse för vilka hinder som finns för en generell implementering av solcellsanläggningar i den byggda miljön, (2) verifikationsworkshop och (3) analys av den data som samlats in i de två försa stegen.

Givet antalet aktörer som påverkar implementeringen samt antalet aspekter som måste hanteras, framstår implementeringen av solcellsanläggningar som komplex, vilket är en utmaning. Det är många aspekteter som ska hanteras av flera aktörer och som förändrar deras vedertagna processer eller medför helt nya uppgifter. En annan utmaning som tydligt framkommit är bristen på kunskap, både hos sig själva och hos andra och i alla faser av projekten. Det är dock beställarens kompetens som ses som mest kritisk, framför allt kopplat till förståelsen av hur implementering av solceller påverkar projektprocessen. Kopplat till utmaningarna kring komplexitet och brist på kunskap framkommer ytterligare upplevda utmaningar gällande både byggprocessens genomförande och externa regelverk, som tydligt påverkar implementeringen. Eftersom solceller fortfarande är förhållandevis nytt har kompetensen inte etablerats, vilket i sin tur leder till osäkerhet kring ansvar. Detta blir extra tydligt i den komplexa processen, där många aktörer är involverade.

Avslutningsvis, det finns fortfarande mycket som behöver göras för att förenkla implementering av solcellsanläggningar i byggd miljö. Detta till trots implementeras allt fler solcellsanläggningar i byggd miljö och det går även mot att vara en naturlig del i byggandet.

Resource management in combination with small-scale, self-produced and locally produced electricity in direct connection to where the needs are has great potential for greatly reducing the use of fossil energy sources. To ensure this, an increase in the implementation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems as well as other innovations in the built environment is required. Technical features such as efficiency and / or technical development to enable assembly or installation are no longer obstacles to implementation. The technology is mature, is available on the market and PV projects are profitable over time. However, the increase in installed capacity in recent years is largely due to an increase in photovoltaic parks. The potential for expansion in the built environment remains.

The overall goal of the project was to identify, analyze and find connections between obstacles that stand in the way of an increased pace of implementation of photovoltaic systems in the Swedish built environment. The project has been done through three work packages (1) workshops and interviews to gain a basic understanding of the obstacles that exist for a general implementation of photovoltaic systems in the built environment, (2) verification workshop and (3) analysis of the data collected in the two preceding steps.

Given the number of actors that affect the implementation and the number of aspects that must be managed, the implementation of solar photovoltaic systems appears as complex, which is a challenge. There are many aspects that must be handled by several actors and that change their accepted processes or entail completely new tasks. Another challenge that clearly emerges was the lack of knowledge, both among themselves and among others and in all phases of the projects. However, it is the client's competence that is seen as most critical, mainly linked to the understanding of how the implementation of solar cells affects the project process. Linked to the challenges of complexity and lack of knowledge, further perceived challenges emerge regarding both the construction process and external regulations, which clearly affect implementation. As PV is still relatively new, the competence has not been established, which in turn leads to uncertainty about responsibility. This becomes extra clear in that it is such a complex process with many actors involved.

In conclusion, there is still much that can be done to simplify the implementation of solar photovoltaic systems in built environments. Despite this, an increasing volume of PV systems are being implemented in the built environment and is about to become a natural part of construction.