An Exploratory Study on the Business Model and Strategy of Solar Facade

The use of solar power is inexhaustible and more from the advantage of geographical constrains. For the country which lacks natual resources, photovoltaic industry is not only provides benefits of energy saving and carbon reducing, but also improves the country’s energy autonomy. However, due to unaffordable photovoltaic cost, limited power generation function and satisfy of building function. In addition to continuous efforts from government industries and academies for solar module in the area of technology, performance improvement and services innovation, it is believed that, innovative busiess model for solar façade plays an essential role to assure successful development. This thesis study aims at developing a feasible and innovative business model for an integrated service provider in the solar façade industry by reiterating current market situation as well as its possible future development by an indepth investigation on potential constraints against the industry development. Applying insights from disruptive innovation and business model design introduced by Clayton Christensen and Mark Johnson respectively, we therefore indentify that commercial or office building is the most suitable market segment to adopt solar façade. Furthmore a businsess model with value creation to target customer is developed. This study also applies concepts both of Value Network and Business Ecosystem for further assement over possible constrains that might defer the adoption for solar façade purchase and proposes an integrated service provider to develop required resources to cope with competition. By doing so. business model and key resource development strategy proposed by this study can prove to be more reasonable and feasible. Finally, this study proposes an innovative business model that includes introduction of concept of “Power Supply and Management Integrated” as an intermediary and a total solution to provide commercial or office building operators with stable and reliable life through integrated power supply and management services in the way of integrity, simple, convenient and lower total cost of ownership. The proposed business model could be profitable of power usage (Pay-By-kWh) as main revenue stream. In addition, this study also recommends the integrated service provider develop a Intelligently Power Supply Management System in order to successfully execute a keystone strategy for competition.