Abstract
In Sweden there is a tendency that alternative energy will develop on market premises. In this paper I suggest that the low exergy value of solar thermal heat limits the technique“s commodification, i.e. the possibility of having a commercial exchange-value on the market. Anthropologists argue that value of a commodity has to be related to social and cultural aspect of the society where it is situated. By applying anthropological theories of value on solar thermal energy I propose that we also need to include the solar thermal energy’s physical conditions to understand its potential of becoming a commodity in the society where it is supposed to produce action.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Butti, K. and Perlin, J. (1980) “A Golden Thread: 2500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology” Palo Alto: Cheshire Books.
Bourdieu, P. (1977) “Outline of a Theory of Practice” Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Callon, M. (1990) “Society in the Making: The Study of Technology as a Tool for Sociological Analysis” in Bijker, Hughes and Pinch (eds.) “The Social Construction of Technological Systems” Cambridge: MIT Press.
Friedman, J. (1994) “Consumption and Identity” Chur: Harwood Academic Publishers.
Graeber, D. (2001) “Toward an Anthropological Theory of Value: the false coin of our dreams” New York: Palgrave.
Henning, A. (2000) “Ambiguous Artefacts: Solar Collectors in Swedish Contexts, On Processes of Cultural Modification” Stockholm: Elanders.
Latour, B. (1988) “The Pasteurization of France” Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Mauss, M. (1997[1925]) “Gåvan” (The Gift) Lund: Argos.
Rosen, M.A. and Dincer, I. (2001) “Exergy as the confluence of energy, environment, and sustainable development” Exergy International Journal 1(1), 3–13.
Sahlins, M (1972) “Stone Age Economics” Chicago: Aldine-Atherton.
Strathern, M. (1988) “The Gender of the Gift: Problems with Women and Problems with Society in Melanesia” Berkeley: Univ. of California Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Leidi, J. (2008). The Exchange-Value of Solar Thermal Energy. In: Goswami, D.Y., Zhao, Y. (eds) Proceedings of ISES World Congress 2007 (Vol. I – Vol. V). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75997-3_597
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75997-3_597
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-75996-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-75997-3
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)