The geography of sustainability transition and materiality: grid-tied solar photovoltaic technology in Sri Lanka

The geography of sustainability transition (GeoST) literature views solar photovoltaic (PV) as an off-the-shelf, footloose, absolute technology for bringing about a technological shift in locations with high solar irradiation. Herein, I argue against viewing solar technology in these ways, highlight...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Regional studies, regional science regional science, 2023-12, Vol.10 (1), p.703-722
Main Author: Nagarajah, Nanthini
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
absolute materiality
Alternative energy
Business models
Energy consumption
Geography
geography of sustainability transition
Infrastructure
Innovations
land
Regional studies
relational materiality
Solar energy
solar photovoltaic
Sri Lanka
Sustainability
Technology
XXX
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Summary:The geography of sustainability transition (GeoST) literature views solar photovoltaic (PV) as an off-the-shelf, footloose, absolute technology for bringing about a technological shift in locations with high solar irradiation. Herein, I argue against viewing solar technology in these ways, highlighting that consideration should also be given to the configuration of solar PV that suits the contextual conditions. To this end, I offer empirical evidence for the need to approach solar PV diffusion through a relational perspective. Accordingly, different solar PV technology formats may become necessary for its successful implementation in diverse contexts. Supportive empirical evidence comes from Sri Lanka's large-scale grid-tied solar PV implementation. I conclude the paper with an analytical consideration of the influence of material factors as being as important within GeoST as that of intangible factors, and that technological shift should be pursued within a location's contextual relational materiality.
ISSN:2168-1376
2168-1376
DOI:10.1080/21681376.2023.2231508