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A recent analysis on value chains by Aalto University proves that over half of the return of value in solar energy supply will remain in Finland.

The majority of the money flow invested in solar energy will remain in Finland. On the basis of case reviews in the value chain analysis performed in the FinSolar project at Aalto University, it can be concluded that the level of domestic content in investments in solar energy is high. The level of domestic content in the case reviews varied between 48 and 71 percent. The high figure is explained by the large share of installation work in the whole investment, and the possibility to use technology made in Finland. Several assembly plants of solar panels and solar thermal collectors as well as domestic companies offering installation services operate in Finland.

'Cases that reflect the different forms of solar energy were selected for the review: heat and electricity as well as both extremes of domestic content', says Researcher Heli Nissilä from the FinSolar project. In two of the investments studied, the solar panels or solar thermal collectors were produced in Finland, and in the other two they were imported.

The cases of investment in solar heat studied were the Sakarinmäki comprehensive school in Helsinki (domestic content 71%), to which Finnish solar thermal collectors were installed, as well as a detached house owned by a family of four in Pori (domestic content 48%), to which foreign collectors were installed. The investments in solar energy studied were the solar energy system of the Kiinteistö Oy Aurinkopaja housing company (domestic content 62%), which runs on Finnish solar panels, as well as the system in the new school centre in the residential area of Vuores in Tampere (domestic content 59%), whose panels were imported.

Solar energy provides work to a large range of domestic small and medium sized enterprises

Finnish work includes work such as design, installation and earth moving. By choosing equipment made in Finland it is possible to maximise the income stream that remains in the country. On the other hand, a considerable share of imports also remains in Finland as Finnish companies participate in retail and system deliveries. The domestic content of investments can continue growing if the domestic market attracts new operators to the industry: manufacturers of components, consultants and service providers.

'Domestic investments will also form a basis for our companies to grow internationally. The more sites the company has implemented in Finland, the more credible it is internationally', states the leader of the project Karoliina Auvinen, M.Sc. (Tech.).

Report on the value chain analysis:

Further information:

Researcher Heli Nissilä
tel. +358 50 437 0078
heli.nissila@aalto.fi

Project Lead Karoliina Auvinen
tel. +358 50 462 4727
karoliina.auvinen@aalto.fi

Aalto University School of Business, Department of Management Studies

FinSolar project,

FinSolar is a project led by the Aalto University School of Business, and it aims at promoting the development of the Finnish solar energy market. The project is scheduled to last until the end of 2015 and involves more than 50 businesses, municipalities and organisations. The project is primarily funded by Tekes.