Solar energy represents the largest source of renewable energy and is thus expected to play a crucial role in meeting our future energy demand. In China, solar energy utilization has made remarkable progress in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed the recent developments in the field of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation from the perspective of transition theory, which was originally developed by technological innovation studies. The transitio. Solar energy represents the largest source of renewable energy and is thus expected to play a crucial role in meeting our future energy demand. In China, solar energy utilization has made remarkable progress in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed the recent developments in the field of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation from the perspective of transition theory, which was originally developed by technological innovation studies. The transition studies propounded three heuristic levels in a system, namely, socio-technical landscape, regime, and niche, and a transition of a system can only be fulfilled through the interactions among these three levels. With respect to the development of solar PV power generation in China, in this paper we initially examined specific situations within these three levels in the context of energy transition. In the subsequent sections, we paid attention to the response of government in promoting the solar PV development amid energy transition. Specifically, relevant policies and some niche level special programs were investigated. Then, we examined the phased achievements in the transition and offered solutions to some newly emerged problems. The final section concludes with some comments.••TransitionMulti-level perspectivePV power generationSocio-technical landscapeRegimeNicheWith the fast economic growth in China, the demand for electricity is rapidly increasing. This has given rise to severe environmental pollution, as approximately 67% of primary energy is derived from coal, which also results in a significant contribution to global warming. However, China is endowed with abundant exploitable solar resources. More than 60% of the country receives an annual total radiation of over 5400 MJ/m2 with more than 3000 h of sunshine, particularly in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, Xinjiang, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia, where large wasteland areas are widely available for the utilization of solar energy. In order to develop economically by sustaining its own energy demand without harming the environment, the Chinese government has the incentive to support the development of solar power generation.China started research on solar cells in 1958, which were first applied on the satellite Dongfanghong no. 2 in 1971. The first terrestrial application was in 1973 (the 15 Wp solar-powered navigation light in Tianjin Harbor). During the 1980s, China introduced several photovoltaic (PV) cell production lines from the United States, Canada, and other countries, which eventually formed the solar PV industry in China. By the end of the 1990s, a number of component packaging plants were built. However, before the 21st century, the utilization of solar energy in China was mostly concentrated on solar water heating system. The concept of transition originated in biology and population dynamics. A transition is defined as a gradual, continuous process of structural changes within a system, such as a society or cultural system. This idea of transition perspective is unique for its multi-level perspective (MLP), which was first formulated by Rip and Kemp to analyze historical cases of technological transitions. As a heuristic model to understand changes in socio-technical systems, the MLP proposes three analytical levels, namely, niche (local), regimes (meso-level), and socio-technical landscapes (macro-level).Niches are crucial for transitions because they provide the seeds for change in the form of radical novelties, and are consequently deemed as locations for the learning processes regarding the development potential of certain technology, user preferences, and effect of public policies. These internal niche processes are analyzed and described under the heading of strategic niche management,,.The socio-technical regime forms the meso-level of the system. A regime refers to the established rules and practices of a given system. Unlike the changes at the niche level such as technological innovations and local practices, which are fast and radical, the changes that occur at the regime level can be slow and in. 3.1. Landscape situationsChina has the second largest proven coal reserves in the world, next only to the United States. Historically, China has been highly dependent on coal, which has generated more than 67% of the country's energy in the past 30 years, whereas renewable energy accounted for only 7.5% of total power generation in 2005. With the rapid development of the Chinese economy since 2001, energy consumption has increased considerably, and consequently, the threat of energy shortage is becoming serious. China is now the highest consumer of coal in the world, which is nearly half of the total global consumption in 2010. In 2011, China became the largest coal importer worldwide, demonstrating that this coal-based energy structure will not change in the short term.Overwhelming reliance on coal has had a very negative impact on the environment; air pollution in China is one of the worst in the world. Thus, coal is indeed a double-edged sword: the black gold of the new economy and the dark cloud of the fragile environment. Moreover, climate change is continually exerting more pressure for a more sound energy policy in China. China is now a key member country in the global climate regime owing to its status as the world's largest emitter of GHG. At the Copenhagen International Climate Change Conference in 2009, Premier Wen Jiabao, on behalf of the Chinese g.
