New research from the Netherlands has shown that business models for product service system that have been applied to the PV company, encourage the use of high-quality PV products and maximizing the life of the system. However, their alleged connection with principles of the circular economy turned out to be weak, with financial considerations by customers being priority.
A group of researchers from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and Bern University of Applied Science in Switzerland has investigated how the so-called production model for product maintenance (PSS) could be used to actively run companies active in the solar installation sector and has established that their acceptance is usually driven by financial considerations instead of the financial considerations.
“PSS models theoretically shift the focus from product ownership to PV system performance and life cycle value,” the main author of the research, Roger Nyffenegger, told PV -Magazine. “Us Study emphasizes that external PV business models from third parties and community ownership-typical for product service systems (PSS)-finance stimuli coordinate with PV system performance. This stimulates the use of high-quality PV products and long-term maintenance, making them well suited to support the principles of circular economy. “
“In practical terms, however, the financial motivations outweigh the circular economy in the current PSS implementations,” ” Nyffenegger continued with saying. ‘Although PSS models have the theoretical potential to improve circularity, their acceptance in practice is mainly powered by financial reasons. The value proposition elements of the providers studied show that financial arguments are crucial, while sustainability and energy dependence are of secondary care. “
In the study “Product service system business models in the photovoltaic industry-an extensive analysisPublished in the Journal of Cleaner ProductionThe research team explained that the PSS model consists of Providing tangible goods and intangible services to meet the needs of the customer. It differs considerably from traditional purchasing models that are characterized by self-ownership A one -off sale, because it is looking for a constant delivery of customer satisfaction and value.
The academics concentrated their analysis on external PV-business models from third parties and community possession, which is said to stimulate the optimization of system reversal, performance and reliability, while the business focus is shifted by sales improvements in the short term to long-term management in the long term.
The participants in the survey were selected on the basis of the PV capacity, net electricity consumption and their market presence in Switzerland. Various approaches were used for companies on the one hand and the government and quasi-governmental organizations on the other.
The group also developed SIx decision criteria for evaluating PV business models: COST structure, income chances, investment requirements, flexibility in real estate development, competence distribution and life cycle management. These are designed to guide purchasing decisions and policy design.
“Both focus groups include the same subjects, were moderated by the same facilitator and observed by three researchers to guarantee data validity and methodological strictness,” the scientists emphasized. “The organizations were identified in collaboration with the National Swiss Solar Industry Association, Swissolar, which maintains an extensive database of solar PV entities in Switzerland.”
They contacted 92 organizations and only 6 of them indicated that they did not offer PSS, with 23 completing the survey and yielded a response rate of 26 %.
The analysis showed that potential customers are skeptical about the PV PSS companies in the context of a circular economy and prefer traditional sales models.
“The C showed our surveyUstomers regard PSS models as complex and rigid, “said Nyffenegger. “Traditional models are Seen as less complex in terms of legal structure and less restrictive with regard to real estate development compared to PSS offers. Participants in the focus group expressed skepticism against PSS due to legal complexity, dependence on providers and contractual obligations in the long term, although they appreciated the operational benefits and the lack of capital obligation. “
The scientists also concluded that their studies do not correspond to the existing literature, which PSS paints as an important enabler for principles of circular economy. “It also emphasizes the constant difficulty in bridging the gap between conceptualization and practical implementation of circular business models, in particular further than initial pilots and demonstrators. In this context, policy support can be essential,” they said.
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