Knowledge production and spillovers : a patent citation study of the development of PV technology

Abstract: The purpose of this study is finding better understanding of the process of knowledge growth, and how technological knowledge builds on existing knowledge. To be able to empirically examine the subject we performed a case study of the photovoltaic (PV) energy sector. The theoretical framework used is Hart’s (2016) model of knowledge production, which takes into account flows of knowledge between sectors. The model is tested through OLS- and logistic regression, using European patent data for time time period 1977-2009. We find that spillovers have had a significant impact on the knowledge growth of the PV sector, and that the most important contributions have come from closely related technology fields. We also find that geographical origin is an important parameter for determining spillover patterns.