Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis

This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. The case reported here involves the acceptance of PV by the National Park Service. As part of the Department of the Interior, the NPS is an agency exemplifying the federal nondefense sector. A modifi...

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Main Authors: Nutt-Powell, Thomas E., Sorrell, Levi Anthony
Published: Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Energy Laboratory, 1980 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/60506
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author Nutt-Powell, Thomas E.
Sorrell, Levi Anthony
author_facet Nutt-Powell, Thomas E.
Sorrell, Levi Anthony
author_sort Nutt-Powell, Thomas E.
collection MIT
description This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. The case reported here involves the acceptance of PV by the National Park Service. As part of the Department of the Interior, the NPS is an agency exemplifying the federal nondefense sector. A modified organizational set model which concentrates on exchanges between and among organizational set elements, was used in this study. Though initially the inquiry from the Department of Energy to NPS to do a PV field test at a NPS site was considered the perturbation prompter, preliminary exploration showed an earlier perturbation-- the need for energy conservation. The differentiations which followed on this perturbation provided an envelope within which PV was subsequently considered and accepted. This envelope made an otherwise incomprehensible innovation more comprehensible by its association with an ongoing routine of acceptance of energy conservation initiatives. The critical role of the NPS's Denver Service Center as an innovation mediator is described. The DSC serves such a function routinely for the NPS, a reality which greatly enhances the likelihood of acceptance of innovations disseminated through this institutional entity.
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spelling mit-1721.1/605062019-04-10T12:59:21Z Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis Nutt-Powell, Thomas E. Sorrell, Levi Anthony Photovoltaic power generation. This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. The case reported here involves the acceptance of PV by the National Park Service. As part of the Department of the Interior, the NPS is an agency exemplifying the federal nondefense sector. A modified organizational set model which concentrates on exchanges between and among organizational set elements, was used in this study. Though initially the inquiry from the Department of Energy to NPS to do a PV field test at a NPS site was considered the perturbation prompter, preliminary exploration showed an earlier perturbation-- the need for energy conservation. The differentiations which followed on this perturbation provided an envelope within which PV was subsequently considered and accepted. This envelope made an otherwise incomprehensible innovation more comprehensible by its association with an ongoing routine of acceptance of energy conservation initiatives. The critical role of the NPS's Denver Service Center as an innovation mediator is described. The DSC serves such a function routinely for the NPS, a reality which greatly enhances the likelihood of acceptance of innovations disseminated through this institutional entity. 2011-01-11T05:59:00Z 2011-01-11T05:59:00Z 1980 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/60506 06705411 Energy Laboratory report (Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Energy Laboratory) no. MIT-EL 80-007. ii, 32 leaves application/pdf Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Energy Laboratory, 1980
spellingShingle Photovoltaic power generation.
Nutt-Powell, Thomas E.
Sorrell, Levi Anthony
Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis
title Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis
title_full Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis
title_fullStr Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis
title_full_unstemmed Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis
title_short Photovoltaics and the National Park Service : an institutional analysis
title_sort photovoltaics and the national park service an institutional analysis
topic Photovoltaic power generation.
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/60506
work_keys_str_mv AT nuttpowellthomase photovoltaicsandthenationalparkserviceaninstitutionalanalysis
AT sorrelllevianthony photovoltaicsandthenationalparkserviceaninstitutionalanalysis