ABSTRACT
The changing economics of enormous energy market provides opportunities for extensive solar energy commercialization. The commercialization process for solar products will normally progress through a series of stages beginning with an analysis of market needs and economics, leading to the identification of opportunities. Solar energy products present one of the most attractive and dynamic business opportunities. A proposal is made for solar commercialization strategies that would combine and capitalize upon the strengths of both large firms and entrepreneurial ventures. Solar photovoltaic cells absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. The principal product opportunity in the photovoltaic solar electricity market is the photovoltaic solar cell. An energy conversion technology—direct conversion of sunlight to electricity— and an end-use—low temperature heating—have been selected to illustrate solar commercialization strategies. While the traditional large firm and the entrepreneurial venture each have a role to play in the solar transition, a variety of options also exists to combine some of the attributes of these two types.
