DOI
10.1016/j.esd.2016.01.002

Summary
This paper provides an assessment on the successful adoption of solar water heating in Barbados and aims to provide analysis on barriers as well as opportunities for growth. The research includes the application of a technological innovation system (TIS) approach as well as Bergek et al.’s functional analysis approach to highlight the successes of the system. The application of the TIS approach provides insight into emergence and diffusion of the solar water heating industry as well as identifying long term policy challenges and future resourcefulness.

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
The paper utilises the TIS and functional analysis approach for developing innovation systems. This is one of the standard systems thinking approaches for the renewable energy sector and thus it adds to the literature here.

The scheme of analysis follows 5 steps:

Defining the technological innovation system in focus.

This was done by conducting analysis on industry reports, official statistics, newspaper articles, innovation system publications and stakeholder interviews.

Structural components (actors, networks and institutions).

Government support during entrepreneurial stages was accredited here. High cost of electricity and import duty has played a role in the adoption of solar water heating systems as the payback period is on average 2.5 years.  

Mapping the functional pattern of the TIS – using Bergek et al.’s functional analysis.

Here, Rogers makes reference to each of the 7 functions. Under those headings he found that;

The role entrepreneurial competition played a major role in the product development.
Markets were developed through many means but a standout factor was a public demonstration by the then present prime minister whom installed a solar water heater and shared his positive results (gas bill reduction).
Manufacturers are at the fulcrum of knowledge development and diffusion.
The government played an important role in the communication and promotion of solar water heating benefits.
There is a lack of R&D units/institutions available for the island.
Customer confidence was developed through a more stringent approach to scaling the solar systems to each households specific needs. Furthermore, independent testing from the Florida Solar Energy Company ensured a standard was expected and credit unions supported customers with 2 years of credit for installations.
Rogers makes a point that positive externalities are lost on that fact that there is a lack of provision of quality infrastructure and R&D opportunities.
Assessing functionality.

Contrary to reports on solar water heating systems having a penetration rate of 40-50%, it is more likely to be around 30% due to maintenance issues concerned with product lifespan and limescale build up associated with Barbados’ geological make up. Barbados TIS is compared with a Cyprus TIS in this section also.

Identify inducement and blocking mechanisms.

The components of this section are clearly depicted in Figure 5.

Point of Strength
The Barbados National Strategic Plan 2005 – 25 sets a goal for the uptake renewable energy technology of which this is an example of a success and could be used in the context of other National Strategic Plans.

This paper is short at 9 pages and for this reason it could be considered as a valuable learning tool for sustainable development, renewable energy or environmental science students. It is essentially a case study of a successful renewable energy system implementation and is very easily understood.

This paper provides visual representations showing the linkages in the complex system of the renewable energy sector. This is useful as it has been found to be a gap in the literature as found in other publications reviewed by !!!James M. See Fig 1, 2, 5. Figure 5 shows multiple ‘Blocking Mechanisms’, their relevant ‘Functions’ and their ‘Inducement Mechanisms’. This clearly represents the issue, type of issue and appropriate solutions.