| dc.description.abstract | Norway is in the unique position of being the only country in Europe that is a significant energy exporter of oil and gas, while its domestics energy needs are met by hydropower. This combination of renewable energy use domestically while at the same time exporting fossil fuels has put Norway in a unique position in the paradigm of energy (Hanson, J., Kasa, S. & Wicken, O. 2011 p 11). The oil and gas industry is Norway’s largest industry measured in value creation, state income, investments and export value. It consists of around 40 percent of Norwegians exports and nearly 20 percent of government income (Norwegian Petroleum 2018). While at the same time the hydropower industry has provided renewable energy to over 90 percent of the domestic market dependent on the sectors, and there has been a focus on further expanding hydropower (Inderbeg, Tews and Turner 2018 p 264). Solar power in Norway is minuscule compared to wind and hydro, but Norway has had a dramatic increase in installed solar capacity from 2016, with around 18 megawatts- peak (how much a solar system can produce in one hour) (MWp) of a total of 45 MWp installed from 2016 to 2017. This increase means that Norway went from around nine gigawatt-hour (GWh) production capabilities to approximately 14 GWh capabilities in one year, which is an increase in solar capabilities of 59 percent. (Solenergiklyngen 2018 p 31). What am I looking into is why, with all the incentives not to grow solar in Norway, does solar keep growing? This is important for innovation systems theory as an example of how a new industry might grow out because of other reasons than arguments first suggests, and from a social standpoint it gives policymakers an overview and incentives to help an industry that is clearly growing in their backyard and what they should do to foster it further. In this paper, my object is to answer the following questions: 1) Why do Norway’s photovoltaics consumer and producer industry continue to grow? 2) How do they affect technological transition in Norway’s energy system? I will use innovation systems theory and the multi-level perspective because it will give me the tools to find the character traits of an emerging innovative system as well as to see how a niche industry as solar might affect the current energy system that exists in Norway. I conclude with that no theme is the sole factor responsible and there is many small focuses that is pushing solar in Norway. Indirect changes in the landscape opens the possibility for solar development, combined with niche innovation that lowers the bar enough for those that are interested in solar. The domination of the hydroelectric power production will likely continue in Norway since the country still has untapped water resources and can build out its hydroelectric power production in the future. However the democratization, digitalization of the grid, lifestyle choices of the people and increased accessibility of PV technology is keeping solar power in Norway alive and running. | eng |