Abstract:

Based on the Technological Innovation systems (TIS) in transition studies, this paper constructs an analytical framework of geographies of transition process studies for China's rural socio-cultural contexts. This framework is particularly used to explore the dynamic process and its characteristics of rural household PV technology diffusion (represented as PV products). Based on our multiple in-depth fieldworks conducted in S village of Jiaxing, Zhejiang between 2017and 2021, the findings are: ① there are two groups in S village, which have generated two distinct modes of PV technology diffusion. One is the "state-led" model: the local government not only provides PV equipment and related technology support to all households of one group for free, but also pays the rent for households' roofs. In so doing, this model attempts to set a demonstration for the other group; The other is the "firm-led" model: firms, rather than the government, promote and sell PV equipment to households. This requires the villagers of the group to purchase PV products on their own; ② the first model involves state guarantee, which has brought about a high level of social acceptance for PV technology, leading to a high installation rate. However, due to the lack of users' experience of the technology, there is a lack of rational knowledge creation and dissemination. This model, despite its nature of state-led project, fails to generate an enabling demonstration effect for other households in the village; The second model is led by private firms. Firms complete each other to achieve sell records as quick as possible, which has resulted in the creation of knowledge on the PV technology is highly profit-oriented and not based on the fact. Besides, compared to the first model, this model lacks state guarantee. It thus has led to a low degree of social acceptance and of PV installation rate;③The two models both lack users-based, rational knowledge creation and dissemination. They are also ill-equipped with multiple actors who can enable cognitive coordination and resource mobilization for PV technology diffusion. Neither model has generated an enabling process of legitimization and has failed to build up a technological innovation system; ④ The specific rural socio-culture contexts of China play a crucial role in affecting the efficiency of the creation and dissemination of rational knowledge on green technologies. This paper reflects the current research inquiry on the sustainability transitions that studies should go beyond the existing research focus on the urban context. It is highly needed to put more emphasis on the role of the rural socio-culture context, and it's embedded in the agency. This paper also provides a sound empirical basis for the broader theorization project for future's geography of transition studies in China.

Key words: sustainability transitions, technological innovation systems, rural roof PV, technological diffusion, transition differences

摘要：

近年来，“可持续转型”范式进入经济地理学研究视野，为探索地方新产业路径发展机制提供了新思路。本文借助转型研究中的技术创新系统视角，构建符合中国乡村社会文化语境的转型地理分析框架，用于解析乡村光伏技术中产品设施的扩散过程及其转型的地理特征。通过对2017―2021年浙江嘉兴S村的田野调查和多主体访谈，研究发现：①在同村的不同组中，存在两种截然不同的技术扩散模式：一种以政府主导，即地方政府免费提供产品技术，通过一次性租用屋顶的方式推广落地；另一种以企业主导，即通过企业推销，村民自费购买的方式推广。②第一种模式因政府担保，社会接受度高，安装率高。但村民缺乏实际技术使用体验，无法形成基于使用的理性知识创造和传播，示范效应弱；第二种模式为私有企业竞争式推销，技术知识被商业化而失真，同时因缺乏政府担保，社会抵触度高，安装率低。③两种模式均缺乏理性的知识创造和传播，社会合法化过程不完善，技术创新系统构建失败。④中国农村的特殊社会文化语境是影响绿色技术知识创造和传播的核心因素，对可持续转型起到至关重要的作用。研究补充了当前聚焦城市可持续转型研究的传统，强调中国乡村社会文化语境及其能动性，为今后转型地理研究提供依据。

关键词: 可持续转型, 技术创新系统, 乡村屋顶光伏, 技术扩散, 转型差异