Energizing innovation: a bibliometric exploration of renewable energy entrepreneurship

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide a thorough bibliometric analysis to illuminate the complex entrepreneurial environment in renewable energy.

Design/methodology/approach

The Biblioshiny package of the R programming language was considered for in-depth analysis of the papers. To determine the future course of research, the authors use SciVal data and prominence percentiles related to particular study areas.

Findings

The findings show a growing interest in renewable energy entrepreneurship, as seen by rising annual production and citation rates. By revealing the interconnection of themes throughout the subject, keyword co-occurrence patterns illustrate its interdisciplinary nature. Sustainable development goal alignment highlights the field’s critical role in tackling global sustainability issues. This analysis gives researchers, decision-makers and practitioners a framework for navigating the terrain of renewable energy entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

Practical advice for promoting innovation and sustainability in the renewable energy sector is provided through insights into interdisciplinary intersections and sustainability alignment.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the body of literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of renewable energy entrepreneurship and highlighting how it affects sustainability. Including SciVal data with prominence percentiles suggests future research avenues and highlights the field’s originality and importance.

Citation

Sreenivasan, A. and Suresh, M. (2024), "Energizing innovation: a bibliometric exploration of renewable energy entrepreneurship", Journal of Responsible Production and Consumption, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 177-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRPC-01-2024-0005

1. Introduction

A significant transition occurs in the world’s energy production and use (Saundry, 2019). There is an increasing need to switch from fossil fuels to sustainable and renewable energy sources due to growing worries about climate change, resource depletion and energy security (Owusu and Asumadu-Sarkodie, 2016). Renewable energy has become a key component in this effort, promising to produce cleaner, more sustainable and ecologically friendly energy (Omer, 2008). Entrepreneurship is one of the factors fueling the revolution in renewable energy. The development of novel technology, the creation of ground-breaking business models and the acceleration of the shift to a more sustainable energy future have all been spearheaded by entrepreneurs and innovators in the field of renewable energy (Autio and Webb, 2015). A dynamic and multidimensional area where ideas, investments, regulations and technological advancements combine to form the future energy landscape is the convergence of renewable energy and entrepreneurship (Benedek et al., 2018).

In developing countries, encouraging entrepreneurship has been hailed as a key tool for advancing energy for sustainable development (Gabriel, 2016). Evidence worldwide shows that mature energy systems, frequently dependent on fossil fuels, are gradually being replaced by renewable energy (RE) (Ellabban et al., 2014). Entrepreneurs are crucial economic agents who combine multiple production methods to provide a variety of goods and services, typically through novel mechanisms (Cunningham and Lischeron, 1991). Therefore, renewable energy entrepreneurs are the ones who promote and develop renewable energy facilities in reality; they also bear the process’ different risks while serving as its primary beneficiaries (Eckhardt and Shane, 2003). The regulatory, political, economic and physical frameworks under which different countries and regions operate affect how renewable energy entrepreneurs promote renewable energy facilities (Eitan et al., 2020). The first important aspect that establishes “the rules of the game” – or, to put it another way, the degree of freedom and restrictions on the ability to act of entrepreneurs – is regulation. The cost of adaptation for entrepreneurs is increased because regulation regimes range between nations and regions and may also vary in how they are implemented to various sorts of business owners within the same location.

Large-scale renewable energy projects offer enormous advantages because of an abundance of resources and growing government support (Ohunakin et al., 2014). In addition to business prospects, some SMEs (local small and medium-sized firms) can take advantage of these opportunities. Entrepreneurs are better positioned to take advantage of and cater to the particular needs of various communities. On a local and regional level, this enables them to develop more affordable and energy-efficient initiatives. Once they operate, they can frequently compete with big businesses (Kaygusuz, 2012). Entrepreneurs who concentrate on creating renewable energy projects have the potential for financial gain and a wide range of beneficial societal effects. Entrepreneurs and social enterprises may simultaneously address the main causes of poverty while lowering carbon emissions by offering communities sustainable and cheap renewable energy solutions (Warnecke and Houndonougbo, 2016). More economic stimulation comes from lower energy prices and the development of jobs (Wei et al., 2010). This leads to a rising standard of life, greater opportunities and accelerated economic expansion. Greater energy resilience enables greater efficiency and increases a region’s appeal to domestic and foreign investment (Zhao et al., 2022).

A key component of global efforts towards sustainable development, renewable energy helps to reduce global warming, improve energy security and spur economic expansion. The United Nations established the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a framework for tackling global issues, and renewable energy is essential to accomplishing many of these objectives. Renewable energy is essential to achieving global sustainability because it can be used to provide significant positive impacts on climate change (SDG 13), promote sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and provide clean, affordable and accessible electricity (SDG 7).

However, ingenuity and an entrepreneurial spirit are just as necessary to fully realize the potential of renewable energy as technological breakthroughs. Sustainable economic development is promoted, innovation is stimulated and the adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs) is accelerated through the use of renewable energy entrepreneurship. In addition to facing numerous obstacles, such as the dominance of established energy companies and limited access to institutional financing, entrepreneurs in this industry also face enormous growth and impact prospects.

The extant body of literature has illuminated diverse facets of renewable energy entrepreneurship; yet, to propel our comprehension forward, it is imperative to amalgamate and amalgamate discoveries. Gabriel (2016) highlights the fragmented nature of current research across management and renewable energy fields by identifying major problems facing entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector in developing nations. In a similar vein, Eitan et al. (2020) offer a categorization of entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector, emphasizing the range of motives and skills among them. A unique typology of green technology business models is put out by Trapp and Kanbach (2021), demonstrating the increased focus on sustainable entrepreneurship.

Notwithstanding these efforts, knowledge regarding the holistic influence of entrepreneurial endeavours on the development, uptake and sustainability of renewable energy sources is still lacking. By performing an extensive bibliometric investigation of renewable energy entrepreneurship, this study seeks to close this gap. This research aims to add to academic knowledge and useful tactics for promoting sustainable energy transitions by synthesizing existing literature, identifying research gaps and providing insights into the main obstacles and possibilities faced by renewable energy entrepreneurs.

1.1 The possibilities

Entrepreneurs have great opportunity to develop and strengthen rural electrification using renewable energy sources. The energy sector’s fastest-growing component is renewables, and with the correct government assistance, the Indian renewable energy sector might be a major force in the country’s development (Wei et al., 2010). Renewable energy is one of the components of the global energy landscape that is developing the fastest. The global energy landscape is changing significantly. To address environmental issues and satisfy expanding energy demands, countries all over the world are realizing how important it is to shift towards clean and sustainable energy sources. Incentives from policy and government assistance are essential for encouraging the advancement and use of renewable energy technology. It is imperative to recognize the wider global trend towards renewable energy sources, even though individual locations may present distinct problems and dynamics. One such example is India, where the renewable energy sector has demonstrated encouraging growth potential when provided with appropriate government support. Countries may reduce climate change, promote economic growth, create jobs and improve energy security by putting money into renewable energy infrastructure and enacting supportive laws. Determining the wider background of renewable energy production and its consequences for sustainable development, therefore, is crucial to developing successful national and international policies and plans.

An excellent place to start is with policies like the recently unveiled production-linked incentive programmes for advanced chemical batteries. Governments will gain from these initiatives because they will also create jobs and generate income for local economies in addition to their positive effects on micro, small and medium enterprises. Any effort to increase the use of distributed renewable energy sources must be complemented with campaigns to educate the public about the advantages of renewable energy sources and their after-sale services. Rural homes and businesses will benefit from high-quality, dependable electricity from a vibrant renewable energy environment and a strong domestic economy. This would pave the road for an independent country by encouraging the inclusive development of communities, green entrepreneurship and green jobs.

A wide spectrum of users, including people, corporations and government organisations, are more interested than ever in renewable energy due to the rising need for sustainable energy solutions and the declining availability of fossil fuels. Startups in the renewables sector also have access to various cutting-edge technologies and government programmes to promote investment in sustainable energy (Samant et al., 2020). Due to the ongoing green energy growth, now is a fantastic opportunity for business owners and professionals in renewable energy to launch their own ventures in the industry (Bull, 2001). Renewable energy is popular, but any new business will encounter some big obstacles. Due to the high cost of investing in renewable energy sources, any new business must thoroughly understand its market niche and be prepared to convince customers of the potential advantages and cost savings of any services it provides.

This paper aims at filling this gap by undertaking a systematic bibliometric review of the literature on renewable energy entrepreneurship. The objectives of this study are threefold: first, to review literature and define both trends and contributions of the investigated area and main emerging themes; second, to understand how the renewable energy entrepreneurship relates to the Sustainable Development Goals; and third, to outline the trajectory of future studies in the area that can be useful for scholars, policymakers and practitioners to support sustainable energy transitions. We aim to address the following essential issues about the development and significance of entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector through this analysis:

RQ1.

What trends can be derived from the patterns regarding the effect and applicability in the field of renewable energy entrepreneurship?

RQ2.

What major contributions do the most well-known authors and sources in the area of renewable energy entrepreneurship produce? How have these authors’ contributions and outputs from publications changed over time?

RQ3.

What trends arose from the terms and concepts used in the field of renewable energy entrepreneurship, and how do these trends influence the networks and themes that are developing within it? How do the most pertinent terminology and phrases change to reflect shifting research focuses?

RQ4.

How does the SDGs’ alignment with research in renewable energy entrepreneurship affect the sector’s potential to contribute to sustainability?

RQ5.

What are the future research directions and areas of emphasis for renewable energy entrepreneurship?

We conducted this analysis because it is crucial for furthering sustainable energy development objectives to comprehend the intellectual environment and scholarly contributions in renewable energy entrepreneurship. We seek to provide useful recommendations for future research projects, policy choices and entrepreneurial endeavours in the renewable energy sector by identifying trends and insights within the existing literature.

This study will benefit as well as draw from various relevant disciplines and research existing literature with an intent to present both theoretical and pragmatic approaches that fit into the development of the renewable energy entrepreneurship. This, in turn, highlights the need to work towards and facilitate an excellent enabler environment that endorses innovation, partnerships and capital investments in embraced system solutions.

There are five sections in this review. Section 1 of the study explains its goal. The second half of this essay discusses the approach used. Sections 3 and 4 discuss the in-depth review of the material that was read and highlight the subjects that still require research. The study is concluded in the last portion.

2. Background

Renewable energy innovation is determined by entrepreneurship that brings in new technologies and business models to the clean energy industry. Businesspeople are normally innovators in this area since they act as change agents who champion the development of new technologies for creating efficient sources of energy (Karimi et al., 2024).

Corporate social responsibility was all the rage for many years since it required businesses to align their operations with social principles (Van der Waldt et al., 2023). The place of entrepreneurship in society has drastically evolved. A previous generation did not view the entrepreneurial enterprise as impacting how public policy was formulated to promote growth and employment within the framework of regional clusters (Manioudis and Angelakis, 2023). The situation has entirely changed in recent years as entrepreneurship has gained recognition on a global scale as a catalyst for both economic and social development.

Diverse strategies catered to certain energy sources have surfaced in the field of renewable energy entrepreneurship, each tackling distinct opportunities and problems (Kandpal and Broman, 2014; Chowdhury et al., 2018). In the solar energy space, for example, entrepreneurs can concentrate on utility-scale projects, distributed solar installations or technology innovation. Similar to this, wind energy entrepreneurship includes the creation of wind farms, the installation of small-scale turbines and the development of energy storage technologies (Leahy et al., 2010). Opportunities in biomass power plants, biogas production and biomass-to-biofuel conversion projects are provided by biomass energy. Hydroelectric power offers opportunities for hydrokinetic energy generation, pumped storage hydro and small-scale hydro projects (Kusakana, 2015). A customized strategy is necessary for each of these approaches, taking into account market dynamics, technological advancements, regulatory frameworks and environmental considerations. This emphasizes the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic partnerships for the success of entrepreneurs in the renewable energy industry.

Limited resources are becoming more prevalent as the world’s population grows. The requirement for energy will not always be met by burning fossil fuels (Holechek et al., 2022). Technology advancements have allowed us to access previously unreachable resources, yet they have postponed the inevitable. These worries and the negative effects of fossil fuels have led to an environmental and socially conscious attitude among many economic actors, such as consumers, investors, businesses and governments. Businesses and investors seeking profit have benefited from consumer interest in cleaner energy sources and government encouragement of green business projects (Bocken, 2015). Academic study and public dialogue on sustainability and sustainable growth are slowly becoming more focused and respectful. Although a new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging, “traditional” entrepreneurship is still necessary and essential to the continuous evolution of deep innovation and market change. A permanent transformation in community development is required to ensure an enduring potential. Sustainable development is essential for the long-term health of the ecosystem and for halting the slow, ineluctable extinction of the human race. Economics that is both socially and environmentally responsible is essential. The principles of sustainable development lay the groundwork for an emerging new field of entrepreneurship called sustainable entrepreneurship, which integrates factors of social, economic and environmental sustainability into the launch of new ventures (Süsser et al., 2019).

Given their environmental effects, fossil fuels stand out due to their beneficial physical-chemical properties, which enable steady, high-quality energy flows that may easily support human populations. In contrast, renewable energy sources often exhibit lower power density levels, compete with other biotic processes when used and significantly negatively impact processes with higher potential due to their erratic nature. However, from a social perspective, renewable energy sources offer a vital transformative ability because of their modularity and ability to create energy locally, enabling the development of local, democratic and participatory bottom-up initiatives from residents (Krueger et al., 2022). Therefore, the communal ownership of renewable energy sources enables the democratisation of access to resources, which has the potential to contribute to the energy transition in a way that is much more significant than a purely technological repair (Capellán-Pérez et al., 2018). Energy systems evolve quickly to accommodate the growing amounts of integrated renewable energy, including wind and solar. The development of renewable energy sources has been enormous in recent years. This development has been accelerated by privatisation, the unbundling of the energy sector, financial incentives and regulations pertaining to energy (Cherni and Kentish, 2007). As the amount of integrated renewable energy, like wind and solar, rises, energy networks must adapt quickly. Renewable energy systems have developed significantly in recent years. This development has been accelerated by laws connected to energy, financial incentives and the unbundling of the energy sector.

Due to their relative cleanliness and decentralised use, renewable fuels offer two important advantages. Despite being well-known, the first benefit rarely receives the attention it merits. To lower their energy costs, private households and companies have invested in self-consumption solar systems, which has significantly aided decentralisation in the energy revolution. However, it results in a more competitive energy sector and “democratisation” of the energy supply (Süsser et al., 2019). Along with traditional energy corporations, democratisation also welcomes new players to the energy markets. Switching to a renewable energy economy can increase energy use and accessibility in developing nations while providing dependable solutions to environmental problems like the greenhouse effect, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, the exhaustion of conventional energy sources and the degradation of environmental quality (Dincer, 2000). Using the enormous potential for sustainable energy in natural sources, such as wind, geothermal, sunlight and water, allows commercial energy production (Haldar, 2021). At the local level, renewable energy firms have beneficial socioeconomic effects, including job creation, manufacturing and disseminating cutting-edge technologies, improved security for rural areas and health advantages (Haldar, 2021). In addition, compared to large nuclear energy power plants subject to lengthy lead times, renewable energy firms have lower maintenance costs, increased cost-effectiveness and greater variability in incremental supply, making them an effective tool for ensuring increased access to energy at reasonable prices. As a result, renewable energy technology businesses have become important contributors to the energy security of developing nations like India (Haldar, 2019).

3. Review method

Data from renewable energy entrepreneurship are used in the study to support bibliometric analysis. It is a well-liked method for evaluating the independence of information in any field of study (Li et al., 2017). This study facilitates the evaluation of all available publications on any topic and amply demonstrates the appropriate application of quantitative methods using bibliometric information (Sahoo et al., 2022). The study’s review of the literature was conducted methodically. Based on great openness and quality at all levels, it is a method that painstakingly synthesizes and finds all research studies that are pertinent to a certain study topic (MacAskill et al., 2021). The systematic literature review is used in this review to synthesize the earlier material since it can decrease bias (Blanco-mesa et al., 2017). This review adhered to the “Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR)” guidelines. This strategy was chosen because it offers greater quality than “PRISMA guidelines” and is supported by the theory of “SPAR-4-SLR”. In addition, this strategy’s three primary stages are “assembling”, “arranging” and “assessing” articles (Paul et al., 2021). The list of evaluation standards is as follows:

3.1 Assembling

The study looked at earlier academic work where significant knowledge was acquired. As a result, many keyword combinations were created to locate and obtain various literature review papers. The keywords used are “Renewable Energies” AND “Entrepreneurship” and yielded 263 documents from 2002 to 2023. To compile publications in the field based on the indicated keywords, a search strategy was used in August 2023. The search string was based on the title, abstract and keywords. Since it is the major database and contains scientific publications of a better calibre than those in other databases, the Dimension database was used for the review. In addition, it is ideal for bibliometric analysis.

3.2 Arranging

The research used the Dimension database’s categorisation capability to filter collected data according to “year”, “subject”, “document type”, “source type”, “publishing stage” and “language” to organize the identified and acquired articles following the assembly step. Before downloading and transferring the data to an Excel file, each study’s description, findings and conclusions were thoroughly reviewed.

3.3 Assessing

The 263 publications on various renewable energy entrepreneurship literature were evaluated using the bibliometric review method. A quantitative technique is used in bibliometric analysis to make academic literature instantly accessible (Donthu et al., 2021). The study also includes a systematic literature review approach, greatly enhancing its transparency (Ellegaard and Wallin, 2015). The bibliometric study uses qualitative assessment, minimizing bias, and employs quantitative approaches on a vast corpus of articles (Burton et al., 2020). The study conducts “performance and science mapping analyses” using Biblioshiny, VOSviewer and bibliometric analysis. The former dissects publication trends, significant writings, famous writers, leading nations and affiliations. The review selects additional research based on a synthesis of earlier findings. The results are presented in the following sections of the paper, with narrative support provided by tables and figures. A flowchart for SPAR-4-SLR is shown in Figure 1.

3.3.1 Sample selection.

The sample consisted of publications on renewable energy entrepreneurship, such as reviews, conference papers and research articles, among others. Since academic articles written in English make up a large amount of the conversation in this field, those publications were the focus of this analysis. Publications that were not peer reviewed or did not directly relate to entrepreneurship in renewable energy were taken out of the sample. Excluded papers that were not in English were also done so to preserve uniformity and make data analysis easier.

The major source for literature retrieval was selected to be the Dimension database because of its broad coverage of academic papers from a variety of areas. Although the Dimension database offers access to a large amount of scholarly literature, it is recognized that no database can include every pertinent article. Additional searches were carried out in other databases, such as Google Scholar and Web of Science, to guarantee thorough coverage. By using many databases, the chance of missing pertinent literature was to be reduced, and the literature review’s strength was to be increased.

A combination of keywords and Boolean operators specific to the study’s objectives were used in the search approach. The plan was to extract pertinent articles about entrepreneurship in renewable energy while eliminating those that were not pertinent. A random sample of the publications that were retrieved was examined by hand to evaluate the recall and precision of the search results to confirm the efficacy of the search method.

3.3.2 Theoretical framework and justification for method choice.

The research is based on occupational literature on entrepreneurial sustainability, a concept that enshrines aspects of social, economic and environmental sustainability into new business creation. This framework is important in understanding the place of the entrepreneur in generating change within the renewable energy industry. It is with this premise that this study seeks to link bibliometric analysis to the strategic intents and implications of entrepreneurship in the renewable power sector. The said bibliometric analysis method was selected primarily since it estimates and maps the science database systematically. Bibliometric analysis allows educationalists to unveil into the pattern and trends of publications, the most impactful of works, the most prolific of authors and clusters of research within the domain.

4. Results and discussion

4.1 Overview

We can infer several significant facts and trends about the data set and its contents from the data shown in Table 1. This table offers information about the scope, age and citation impact of the documents in the data set. In addition, it draws attention to the data set’s variety of document types and significant use of references, highlighting its academic and intellectual nature. The data set potentially contains information obtained over two decades, covering 2002 through 2023. There are 198 sources in all, which may include books, journals and other reference materials. This implies that the data set uses data from various intellectual and academic sources. There are 263 documents in the collection, which might be anything from novels to research papers to articles. This number of documents suggests that the data set is substantial. The documents in this data set have an average age of 4.82 years. This suggests that the data set includes both some older documents and fresh information. Each document has been mentioned 10.65 times on average. This implies that the data set’s documents have gained recognition for their work in their respective fields. Each document obtains roughly 1.632 citations annually on average. This measure shows the frequency with which the documents are mentioned over time. The collection has 5697 references in total. This figure indicates the documents’ significant usage of citations from external sources. Articles are the most prevalent form of document in the data set (150), followed by conference papers (52), book chapters (26) and other types, including books, reviews and notes. This broad spectrum of document forms points to a wide range of scholarly content.

We can derive various trends and observations from Figure 2 on annual scientific production, which displays the number of publications published yearly from 2002 through 2023. The information on yearly scientific output offers perceptions of the evolution of the field’s research activities over time. It indicates development and constancy in research output, with some years seeing considerable gains in article output. Academics and decision-makers can use these details to understand better the dynamics and trends in this area of scientific study. The annual production of articles has increased significantly throughout the years. This shows a rising interest in scientific study and publication in these papers’ topics or fields. The data show a generally consistent increase in annual production with sporadic swings. The years 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 stand out for growth since they saw notable increases in the quantity of articles published compared to the years before them. Peak years for scientific output appear to be 2021, with 43 papers, and 2017, with 25 articles. These were years of intense research or rising interest in the field. From 2008–2023, there is some regularity in the number of papers published, with most years having more than 20 articles. This indicates ongoing research and publication activities. While the number of papers generally increases, certain years exhibit variations or declines. Various elements, such as research funding, academic conferences and developing research trends, may impact such variations. The most recent years, i.e. 2021, 2022 and 2023, still show a disproportionately high number of papers, demonstrating that this subject’s research and publication activities are still robust. The data covers a period of more than two decades, providing a long-term view of changes in scientific production. Researchers and other interested parties can use this data to evaluate how this field’s research has changed.

Figure 3 gives a thorough overview of the average number of citations each year and related statistics for publications that were published between the years of 2002 and 2023. This graph offers important insights about the durability, impact and citation patterns of articles published during a 21-year period, giving a thorough picture of the evolution of scientific influence in the field. One significant finding is the wide range between years in the mean number of citations per year. This metric measures the influence and impact of publications from each corresponding year, ranging from years with zero citations to years with remarkable highs (such as papers published in 2016 with 6.34 citations annually) and everything in between. This variance shows that their writings received more attention and remained relevant for some years. The average total number of citations per article, which represents the average total number of citations obtained by articles from each year, is another important factor. With certain years having highly cited articles (for example, 51 citations per article in 2010) and others having lower averages (for example, 0.78 citations per piece in 2023), this measure indicates the general quality and effect of the articles. These discrepancies in the number of citations reflect the changing levels of influence and acclaim accorded to publications published in various years. The graphic also shows the number of years each article is still current and citeable. While articles from more recent years, like 2023, have not yet entered their citable periods, those from previous years, like 2002, often have more extended citable periods (e.g., 21 years). This statistic emphasizes how long-lasting research contributions are and how likely they will be cited again. It is clear from examining historical trends that, although having longer citable periods, articles from previous years may have, on average, fewer annual citations. In comparison, articles from more recent years have a shorter citation time but, on average, acquire more each year, demonstrating their quick effect and recognition in the area.

Figure 4’s Three Fields Plot is a diagram with three components: the title of the publication journal, a list of the authors’ names and the themes or topics covered. A grey plot that is related to the three components links them together. The names of the journals are followed by a list of the regular contributors, followed by a list of the subjects on which each contributor’s study on the issue of renewable energy entrepreneurship is frequently done. The rectangle’s size demonstrates the significant number of publications linked to each component. The image below shows 12 journals listed in the Three Fields Plot’s first element that publish papers on renewable energy entrepreneurship. The top journal that publishes the most articles on entrepreneurship in renewable energy is the Journal of Cleaner Production, which is linked to several writers, including Becker S, Sengupta S, Gatto A and Brans M.

The second element is in the middle of the picture, where several authors are connected to the journal. In addition, topical keywords frequently used on the right of the image will also be linked to the author. In this study, 16 eminent researchers participated in this plot. The size of the rectangle represents the quantity of research articles each author has published. The authors of this paper, Haldar S, Surie G, Huerta de Soto J and Gabriel C A, primarily write about renewable energy topics.

The third and last component, shown on the image’s right side, describes the study topic. Each topic connects to a writer who frequently writes on a related subject. The image’s results include a list of 20 keyword themes. The term “renewable energy” appears most frequently among all the mentioned subjects. Entrepreneurship, which virtually all authors frequently use, is second, followed by social and sustainable entrepreneurship. This demonstrates how these terms are strongly tied to an academic study on entrepreneurial renewable energy.

4.2 Sources

Figure 5 provides insightful information on the landscape of energy, sustainability and related publications. First, it finds the journal or sources that are the most pertinent in this area and measures their contribution by counting the number of related articles. With 11 articles, “Energy Policy” is the source with the most. This indicates that “Energy Policy” is a highly influential journal. The figure also shows the variety of sources experts in this discipline draw on. Several other journals significantly contribute, even if “Energy Policy” is at the forefront. The “Journal of Cleaner Production”, “Energies” and “Sustainability (Switzerland)” all include 6–8 articles each. This variation highlights the multidisciplinary nature of the subject matter and suggests that research in the energy and sustainability sector is disseminated via a broad range of sources. In addition, the fact that sources like “The International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research”, “Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews” and “Critical Perspectives on International Business” are present suggests that this area of research has an international and interdisciplinary focus. Energy and sustainability topics also extend to journals with broader scopes, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these topics with various other topics. Last but not least, “Nature” inclusion in the list highlights how prestigious this journal is across disciplines. Research on energy and sustainability is not only limited to specialized publications but also appears in esteemed, multidisciplinary publications, thus enhancing the visibility and significance of this research. The figure offers a thorough overview of the most important publications and sources in the area of sustainability and energy. The most popular journals are highlighted, the variety of sources used by scholars is emphasized and a worldwide and interdisciplinary focus in this vital and dynamic field of study is indicated.

Figure 6 gives a thorough overview of the development of research papers in energy, sustainability and related subjects. It draws attention to the importance of several publications, the expansion of interdisciplinary research and the recent spike in interest in these important fields of study. Over the years, most sources have consistently increased the number of publications. This shows that research on and interest in energy, sustainability and related themes have increased. “Energy Policy” has maintained a high volume of publications throughout the years, making it a well-known and reliable source in this area. The number of articles published in some publications, including “Journal of Cleaner Production”, “Energies”, “Sustainability (Switzerland)” and “Renewable Energy”, has also increased significantly, demonstrating their growing significance in the industry. Early in the new millennium, sources including “E3S Web of Conferences”, “Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics” and “2014 1st International Conference on Green Energy ICGE 2014” added to the body of knowledge, demonstrating the function of conferences in spreading research. The fact that journals such as “Nature”, “Entrepreneurship and Regional Development” and “International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research” exist in the field emphasizes how interdisciplinary it is. Research on energy and sustainability is conducted not only in specialized publications but also in a wider range of outlets. There has been a considerable acceleration in the growth of publications across practically all sources in recent years (between 2020 and 2023). This may indicate increased interest in energy and sustainability issues, which may be motivated by widespread worries about climate change and environmental sustainability. Some sources display a pattern of joint growth. For instance, the growth trends of “Journal of Cleaner Production”, “Energies” and “Sustainability (Switzerland)” are comparable, which can be a sign of cooperation or overlapping research interests. Journals featuring “sustainability” in the title, such as “Sustainability (Switzerland)” and “Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews”, demonstrate the importance of sustainable practices and renewable energy sources in research.

4.3 Authors

A list of authors who have significantly advanced the fields of energy and sustainability through their research publications is shown in Figure 7. It captures the scope and, to some extent, the potential significance of their contributions to this field. With 4 articles, Haldar S is the most prolific author and has significantly advanced the area. Several authors have produced three publications showing significant engagement in research, including Gabriel C-A, Gatto A, Rialp-Ceriado A, Sengupta S, Surie G and Zolfaghari Ejlal Manesh SM. The wide diversity of authors on the list suggests that people with different backgrounds and affiliations conduct studies in this area. Some authors have written fewer pieces, and a handful have yet to produce two. These authors might be in the early stages of their research careers or prioritize quality above quantity. Figure 8 offers insights into the output and influence of these great authors during the years when they were published. It draws attention to fluctuations in publishing rates and the significance of citations, highlighting the evolving character of research contributions. From 2019–2023, Haldar S will continue to produce at least one new publication annually. Their total annual citations (TCpY) vary greatly, with 2023 having the highest TCpY (4.000), indicating potentially important work that year. 2016 was a productive year for Gabriel C-A, who published 3 publications and ranked 152 citations. This means that during that specific year, there was a substantial impact. Gatto A only published one article in 2021, yet it received 50 citations in total, giving it a high TCpY of 16.667. However, Gatto A only had a TCpY of 0.000 in 2023, despite publishing two publications and receiving no citations. With only one release each year in 2017, 2019 and 2020, Rialp-Criado A publishes sporadically. Their TCpY fluctuates, with 2019 having the highest TCpY of 4.000, indicating a large influence. With changing TCpY values, Sengupta S has publications in 2019 and 2020. They only published one paper in 2019 with a high TCpY of 6.000 and a total of 30 citations. Publications by Surie G are spaced out between the years 2017, 2019 and 2020. Their 2017 publication of one article with 102 total citations resulted in their greatest TCpY of 14.571.

4.4 Documents

Figure 9 provides a clear view into the major topics and areas of attention in the field of energy, sustainability and related fields by listing the most pertinent words and their associated occurrences. The terms “renewable energies” and “sustainable development” stand out as key concepts, demonstrating a dedication to reliable energy solutions with an emphasis on long-term societal and environmental well-being. The terms “renewable energy sources as well as the part played by political decisions in determining the energy landscape. While the use of the terms “entrepreneur” and “entrepreneurship” indicates a research interest in cutting-edge entrepreneurial operations within the sustainable energy sector, “alternative energy” represents a broader exploration beyond conventional fossil fuels. The term “renewable resources” emphasizes the dedication to sustainability, and the word “economics” emphasizes the link between economic issues and energy and sustainability-related issues. Finally, “innovation” emphasizes the critical role that technology development has had in advancing the discipline. Together, these concepts offer a thorough understanding of the diverse character of scholarly work and research in the field of energy, sustainability and entrepreneurship.

Figure 10, which shows the word dynamics over time in energy, entrepreneurship, sustainability and allied fields, offers insightful information on how this discourse has changed. Notably, the phrase “Renewable Energy” stands out as one that has progressively gained popularity over time, showing the growing emphasis on clean and sustainable energy sources. The term “Entrepreneurship” has grown significantly concurrently, reflecting a rise in interest in business ventures, including energy and sustainability. The persistence of ideas like “Sustainability” and “Sustainable Development” highlights the importance of environmentally and socially responsible behaviour. The term “innovation” has also been consistently rising, highlighting technology improvements’ crucial role. A further indication of the growing interest in ethical and sustainable business practices is the creation of phrases like “social entrepreneurship” and “sustainable entrepreneurship”. The term “energy transition” has become more significant in recent years as the shift towards renewable energy intensifies. The word “India” is used to emphasize the country’s importance in this context, while the term “Business Model” denotes changing perspectives on sustainability and innovation in the energy and entrepreneurial sectors. When taken as a whole, these dynamics present a complete picture of the shifting priorities and environment in these important disciplines.

Figure 11, highlighting hot topics in entrepreneurship, sustainability and energy, provides insightful information on how the discussion and research objectives have changed. With 53 mentions among the notable trends, “entrepreneurship” stands out and shows continued interest from 2016 through 2021. This implies a persistent emphasis on cutting-edge corporate strategies and endeavours within energy and sustainability, emphasizing the significance of entrepreneurial activities in fostering advancement. With 13 mentions from 2016 to 2022, “Sustainable Development” attracts attention. This lengthy period of prominence highlights the continued focus on long-term environmental and societal well-being in research and discourse. This pledge aligns with the phrase “Sustainability”, which had 18 mentions from 2017 to 2020, showing the continued significance of ethical and long-lasting behaviour. With 12 mentions from 2017 to 2021, “innovation” is a significant subject, highlighting solutions that improve the energy and environmental sectors. The term “energy transition”, which received 8 mentions in 2022 and 2023, indicates the recent trend of increasing awareness of switching from conventional energy sources to cleaner and renewable alternatives. The prominence of terms like “renewable energy technologies”, “social entrepreneurship”, “climate change”, “green entrepreneurship” and “public policy” also varies over time, indicating their importance in addressing the opportunities and challenges that are currently present in these dynamic fields. These trend themes offer an in-depth look at the shifting priorities, difficulties and research directions in entrepreneurship, renewable energies and sustainability.

4.5 Conceptual structure

The co-occurrence network data provides insights into the connections and significance of particular keywords or concepts within the context of energy, entrepreneurship, sustainability and related topics. Each node in the network represents a keyword. Important findings based on Figure 12 are as follows:

4.5.1 Cluster 1: Social entrepreneurship and sustainable energy utilization (red).

This cluster is concerned with the development of renewable energy sources, environmental protection and the sustainable use of energy resources. It also emphasizes the part social entrepreneurship plays in promoting the sustainable growth of the energy industry. In addressing economic and social repercussions while encouraging environmental sustainability through efficient energy usage, the theme emphasizes the interaction of technology, engineering education and social entrepreneurship. With a focus on sustainability, social entrepreneurship and the incorporation of technology and engineering education to achieve these objectives, this theme represents conversations and research on the efficient and responsible use of energy resources.

4.5.2 Cluster 2: Climate change mitigation and renewable energy (green).

The focus of cluster 2 is on “climate change mitigation and renewable energy”. In combating climate change and reducing its consequences, this cluster mostly represents addresses and research on renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy and biofuels. The terms in this cluster suggest a heavy emphasis on renewable energy technologies as remedies for lowering carbon dioxide emissions, preventing global warming and lessening the effects of greenhouse gases on the environment. The main theme emphasizes how crucial it is to switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar power and biofuels, as successful tactics to fight climate change and advance sustainability. It emphasizes renewable energy technologies’ role in lowering carbon emissions and solving the pressing theme of climate change and global warming.

4.5.3 Cluster 3: Economic development and sustainable entrepreneurship in alternative energy.

The focus of cluster 3 is on “economic development and sustainable entrepreneurship in alternative energy”. This cluster includes discussions and research on how entrepreneurship, economic development and alternative energy sources interact. The keywords emphasize the role of entrepreneurs in the energy sector, focusing on international aspects, green entrepreneurship and innovation. The main idea emphasizes how crucial sustainable entrepreneurship is to advancing technology, managing energy and applying renewable resources for economic progress. In the context of alternative energy and energy markets, it emphasizes the need for innovative techniques and sustainable business endeavours in achieving both economic development and sustainability goals.

4.5.4 Cluster 4: Decision-making for renewable for renewable energy transition and energy policy.

The focus of cluster 4 is “decision-making for renewable energy transition and energy policy”. This cluster represents conversations and studies about creating energy policies, especially those centred on renewable energies and the shift to sustainable energy sources like wind power. It highlights the importance of institutional entrepreneurship, public policy and decision-making in advancing the energy transition. The main idea emphasizes how crucial efficient energy regulations, democratic decision-making and institutional entrepreneurship are for easing the transition to renewable energies like wind power. It emphasizes how crucial strategic decision-making and policy frameworks are to influencing the energy landscape and achieving sustainable energy objectives.

4.5.5 Cluster 5: Innovation, entrepreneurship and business model in renewable energy technologies.

The theme from cluster 5 is “innovation, entrepreneurship and business model in renewable energy technologies”. This cluster mainly includes discussions and studies on innovation management, entrepreneurship and business model creation concerning renewable energy technology. The main idea emphasizes the importance of innovative ideas and entrepreneurial endeavours in influencing the commercialisation of renewable energy solutions. It emphasizes the significance of clearly defined business models and successful innovation management techniques to propel developments and long-term expansion in the renewable energy sector.

4.5.6 Cluster 6: Social enterprise and environmental entrepreneurship.

The aim of cluster 6 is “social enterprise and environmental entrepreneurship”. This cluster largely includes discussions and research on entrepreneurial endeavours and corporate projects that give environmental and social goals first priority. It emphasizes the value of environmental entrepreneurship and social businesses’ contribution to solving sustainability problems. The main idea emphasizes the confluence of entrepreneurship and social responsibility, stressing the growing significance of companies and projects that seek to benefit society and the environment. This issue emphasizes the importance of social enterprises and entrepreneurial endeavours in advancing sustainable lifestyles and furthering societal and environmental objectives.

4.6 Evolution of sustainable development goals

Figure 13 demonstrates how the paper is in line with particular SDGs, including its contributions to “clean energy”, “climate action”, “sustainable cities”, “economic growth” and “responsible consumption and production” within the framework of renewable energy entrepreneurship. Each SDG’s inclusion or exclusion in publications and citations provides information about the paper’s subject emphasis and participation in the larger sustainability agenda. The two most prominent SDGs evolved in this study are SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The importance of access to clean, affordable energy and mitigating climate change is emphasized by these two SDGs, which are fundamental to the renewable energy industries. These SDGs appear to be the primary focus of research in renewable energy entrepreneurship based on the large number of publications and citations they have received. While SDGs 7 and 13 predominate in terms of publications and citations, the study includes a variety of SDGs. This variety demonstrates the multifaceted character of sustainable development and the different ways that renewable energy entrepreneurship supports sustainable development goals. There are few or no publications and citations in the study for some SDGs, including SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 2 (Zero Hunger), 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), 14 (Life Below Water) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitisation). This indicates that the paper might not thoroughly cover these particular aims or that there might not be as much study on them in the context of renewable energy entrepreneurship.

In terms of publications and citations, the SDGs pertaining to responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), employment economic growth (SDG 8) and industry and innovation (SDG 9) are moderately prevalent. This suggests that the study will probably examine how renewable energy entrepreneurship might help achieve these financial and environmental objectives. Fewer publications and citations for SDGs are largely social in nature, such as high-quality education (SDG 4), poverty reduction (SDG 1) and gender equality (SDG 5). This implies that while the article may mention these objectives, its main emphasis may be more on the environmental and economic aspects. The distribution of publications and citations across different SDGs details the paper’s scope and research focus. With a focus on clean energy access and climate action, the report likely emphasizes renewable energy entrepreneurship’s environmental and economic aspects.

4.6.1 Sustainable development goal 7.

This objective highlights how crucial it is to guarantee that everyone has access to modern, affordable, dependable and sustainable energy. SDG 7 is crucial to the field of renewable energy entrepreneurship since it is in line with the goal of advancing clean energy solutions. The goal of entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector is to create novel technology and commercial strategies that will increase the affordability and accessibility of clean energy, especially in underprivileged areas. This covers programs like off-grid energy options, community-owned renewable energy projects and distributed solar systems. The large number of articles and citations related to SDG 7 highlights the important area of study and the proactive work being done to promote renewable energy entrepreneurship in the aim of achieving sustainability and universal access to energy.

4.6.2 Sustainable development goal 13.

SDG 13 emphasizes how vital it is to address climate change and its effects. Through the promotion of sustainable energy practices and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy entrepreneurship is essential to achieving this goal. Innovative solutions to decarbonize energy systems, reduce climate risks and move towards a low-carbon economy are developed by entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector. This covers the construction of solar parks, wind farms, bioenergy projects and other infrastructure related to renewable energy. The large amount of research and funding dedicated to using renewable energy entrepreneurship for climate mitigation and adaptation activities is demonstrated by the numerous publications and citations linked to SDG 13.

4.6.3 Sustainable development goal 12.

SDG 12 emphasizes resource efficiency, waste reduction and pollution prevention in its demand for sustainable patterns of production and consumption. This objective is met in the context of renewable energy entrepreneurship by encouraging the use of clean technologies and sustainable energy practices. The main goals of entrepreneurs in the renewable energy industry include minimizing the environmental effects of energy production and use, promoting renewable energy sources and creating and implementing energy-efficient solutions. This covers programs like sustainable supply chain management techniques, eco-friendly manufacturing procedures and energy audits. The somewhat higher frequency of publications and citations linked to SDG 12 suggests that the discourse on renewable energy entrepreneurship is beginning to acknowledge the significance of responsible production and consumption.

4.6.4 Sustainable development goal 8.

SDG 8 places a strong emphasis on the promotion of full and productive employment, decent work for all and sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. This objective is aided by the entrepreneurship in renewable energy, which generates jobs, supports economic growth and stimulates innovation in the energy industry. Jobs are created by entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector at every stage of the supply chain, from installation and manufacture to servicing and maintenance. Furthermore, the implementation of renewable energy projects boosts regional economies, draws in capital and propels technological progress, all of which contribute to the expansion and prosperity of the global economy. The acknowledgement of renewable energy entrepreneurship as a driving force behind job creation and economic success is reflected in the moderate frequency of publications and citations linked to SDG 8.

4.6.5 Sustainable development goal 9.

Building robust infrastructure, encouraging equitable and sustainable industrialization and encouraging innovation are the three main objectives of SDG 9. This objective is supported by renewable energy entrepreneurship, which advances technological innovation, builds out the infrastructure for renewable energy sources and improves energy access and dependability. Innovative technology, business strategies and funding methods are developed by entrepreneurs in the renewable energy industry to get around infrastructure constraints and hasten the switch to sustainable energy sources. This covers advancements in decentralized energy solutions, smart technology, grid integration and renewable energy storage. The scholarly literature’s modest association with SDG 9 highlights the critical role that renewable energy entrepreneurship plays in propelling innovation, industrial expansion and infrastructure development.

5. Future research direction

We can discover probable future study directions and trends in the areas of renewable energy, entrepreneurship and sustainability based on the SciVal data (Table 2) and the prominence percentiles associated with particular research topics.

5.1 Industrial symbiosis; sustainable development; circular economy

The circular economy, a revolutionary approach to sustainability and sustainable development that has been quickly gaining pace globally, has recently given industrial symbiosis a further impetus (Cecchin et al., 2020). Future studies in this field should focus on devising novel approaches to further incorporate the concepts of industrial symbiosis into sustainable development and circular economy practises. Researchers can look into how the notion of “industrial symbiosis”, which involves industries working together to share resources and cut waste, can be used in the renewable energy industry. Case studies of sustainable resource utilisation brought about by collaboration between various industries and renewable energy initiatives might be examined. Future studies may also examine renewable energy entrepreneurship’s role in achieving other sustainable development objectives like access to clean energy, job creation and poverty reduction. Future research might examine the socioeconomic effects of renewable energy entrepreneurship on nearby communities and regions. The integration of circular economy ideas into renewable energy projects, such as recycling, product life extension and remanufacturing. Researchers can examine how designing renewable energy systems and parts for recycling and reuse might lessen the environmental impact.

5.2 Energy transition; innovation system; sustainability

Auxiliary technologies like energy storage and other flexibility alternatives are becoming more crucial as we enter a new phase of the energy revolution. The complex system dynamics that underlie society and the energy sector must be understood by economic policy to manage this change (Bettin, 2020). Exploring the critical role that entrepreneurship has played in accelerating the switch to renewable and sustainable energy sources is essential. This entails looking at how businesspeople spot opportunities in newly developing renewable energy industries and actively participate in the creation of cutting-edge solutions intended to hasten the transition away from fossil fuels. Analysing the complex innovation systems and cooperative networks that support entrepreneurial efforts in the renewable energy sector is also crucial. The responsibilities that academic institutions, governmental organisations, industry players and venture capital firms play in promoting innovation in renewable energy technologies and business models should all be covered in this investigation. Future research should also explore the sustainability results brought about by entrepreneurial ventures in the renewable energy sector. This entails assessing sustainability’s “environmental”, “economic” and “social dimensions” and comprehending how entrepreneurial endeavours either support or might undermine these characteristics. Such a thorough examination will offer insightful information about renewable energy entrepreneurship’s larger effects and implications on the transition to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy landscape.

5.3 Alternative energy; greenhouse gas emission; environmental policy

Energy efficiency offers great potential to drive economic growth and cut greenhouse gas emissions simultaneously. Most people agree that increasing energy efficiency is vital to a nation’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint (Hassan et al., 2022). Future studies should thoroughly analyse technological and entrepreneurial advances in alternative energy sources. Analysing how these novel approaches significantly advance the crucial objectives of lowering greenhouse gas emissions and successfully limiting climate change’s negative effects is crucial. Future research should also explore the complex interactions between entrepreneurial endeavours and environmental regulations created, particularly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis should go into great detail to comprehend how entrepreneurial endeavours interact with these regulations. Investigate, for instance, how entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector negotiate the regulatory environment to match their business models and strategies with environmental goals. Researchers should also thoroughly analyse the effects of particular environmental regulations on the entrepreneurial development of renewable energy sources. The objective of this analysis should be to unearth subtle insights on the direct and indirect effects of various policy instruments. It should go beyond a cursory examination. The studies should ultimately pinpoint the public policies that have been most successful in fostering and sustaining business operations in the alternative energy industry. Future research can shed light on how alternative energy innovations are helping to mitigate climate change and identify policy approaches that can best support and incentivize entrepreneurial initiatives in the search for cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions by conducting these extensive investigations and assessments.

6. Discussion

The complex interplay between SDGs and entrepreneurship in renewable energy highlights an important field of study. Based on our analysis and the prominence of SDGs 7 and 13, we find that there is a good alignment with the fundamental goals of entrepreneurship in renewable energy. This connection shows a broader commitment to sustainable development in addition to the sector’s immediate role in improving energy accessibility and battling climate change.

The deliberate emphasis placed on these SDGs points to a targeted path for research and development in the field of renewable energy. But it also draws attention to a gap: the underrepresentation of other important SDGs, such as SDG 5 and SDG 6, points to areas where entrepreneurship in renewable energy may have an even greater influence. As a result, even though entrepreneurship in renewable energy is seen as essential to reaching several SDGs, there is still much unrealized potential for a more comprehensive contribution to the sustainability agenda.

Incorporating the analysis of SDG alignment into our conceptual model, we propose that future strategies in renewable energy entrepreneurship should aim for a more integrated approach to sustainability. This entails not only advancing technologies and business models that directly support SDGs 7 and 13 but also consciously incorporating objectives related to other SDGs, thereby broadening the sector’s contribution to the sustainability agenda.

Three crucial areas of focus for next research in renewable energy entrepreneurship are identified by our study: sustainable development, greenhouse gas emissions, innovation system, energy transition, circular economy, industrial symbiosis and environmental policy. These regions offer a path forward for the field, identified by their prominence percentile based on SciVal data.

Subsequent studies ought to focus on how renewable energy projects might promote a more circular economy by reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. Innovative business models that promote mutually beneficial symbiotic ties between businesses by enabling the exchange of information, energy and materials could be the subject of future research. The importance of entrepreneurship in spurring innovation is growing as the globe manages the energy transition. Subsequent research endeavours ought to scrutinize the ecosystems that bolster entrepreneurship in renewable energy, encompassing the interrelationships among policy, capital, technology and market dynamics. Examining how these systems work together to help or impede the adoption of renewable energy technology can yield insightful information for a variety of stakeholders.

Future studies must evaluate how renewable energy entrepreneurship may address the pressing global issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Analysing how well environmental laws support creative renewable energy solutions and comprehending the challenges and opportunities faced by business owners in navigating these laws are part of this.

7. Conclusion and policy implications

In this thorough bibliometric investigation, we embarked on a journey to understand the dynamics and effects of entrepreneurship within the field of renewable energy. We discovered a lot about the complex world of renewable energy entrepreneurship by analysing annual scientific production, citation trends, prominent sources, authors contributions, keyword co-occurrence patterns and alignment with SDGs. Our investigation produced a number of significant results that highlight the importance of entrepreneurship in influencing the renewable energy market. The upward trend in annual scientific output and the rising average number of article citations per year indicate that the field is becoming more popular and well-known. This underscores the significance of entrepreneurship as a driver of innovation and sustainability in addition to the significance of renewable energy.

We recognized significant contributors who have made a lasting impact on the subject of renewable energy entrepreneurship in the arena of important sources and authors. Future researchers and practitioners seeking to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship in renewable energy might use their steadfast dedication and developing research results as a spotlight. The analysis of keyword co-occurrence patterns highlighted the cross-disciplinary nature of the sector by illuminating the relationships between themes in renewable energy entrepreneurship. In addition, it demonstrated how flexible research interests may be, matching the continuous changes in the renewable energy industry. The themes that emerged from past literature are: Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Energy Utilization; Climate Change Mitigation and Renewable Energy; Economic Development and Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Alternative Energy; Decision-Making for Renewable for Renewable Energy Transition and Energy Policy; Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Business Model in Renewable Energy Technologies; Social Enterprise and Environmental Entrepreneurship.

Importantly, our research demonstrated how entrepreneurship in renewable energy aligns with important SDGs, particularly SDG 7 and SDG 13. The importance of entrepreneurship in solving issues like clean energy availability and climate change; this alignment highlights mitigation. Future research directions are outlined by the SciVal data and prominent percentiles linked with particular research areas. These directions offer a strong foundation for improving innovation and sustainability within the renewable energy sector and include industrial symbiosis, sustainable development, circular economy, energy transition, innovation system and alternative energy sources.

In conclusion, our bibliometric analysis provides a clear picture of the entrepreneurial pursuit of renewable energy as a dynamic and significant force in achieving a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. It emphasizes the value of continual innovation, research and collaboration in the never-ending quest to animate change and energize innovation in renewable energy. The conclusions drawn from this analysis will serve as a foundation for future explorations as we continue to forge new paths in renewable energy entrepreneurship, directing academics, decision-makers and practitioners in their joint efforts to hasten the transition to a renewable and sustainable energy landscape.

Although this bibliometric research sheds light on the entrepreneurial side of renewable energy, it has its challenges. One drawback is that it generally relies on quantitative data, and the qualitative parts of entrepreneurship, such as the motives, difficulties and business strategies, still need to be explored. The analysis also emphasizes publications and citations, which might not fully represent the range of entrepreneurial activity. To acquire a deeper knowledge of the human dimensions of entrepreneurship in renewable energy, future studies should supplement these findings with qualitative investigations. Researching the regulatory environments, market dynamics and policy frameworks influencing the sector’s entrepreneurial potential can also deepen our understanding.

Figures

Figure 1.

SPAR-4-SLR flow chart

Figure 2.

Annual scientific production

Figure 3.

Average article citations per year

Figure 4.

Three-fields plot

Figure 5.

Most relevant sources

Figure 6.

Source growth

Figure 7.

Most relevant authors

Figure 8.

Authors’ production over time

Figure 9.

Most relevant words

Figure 10.

Word dynamics

Figure 11.

Trend topics

Figure 12.

Co-occurrence network

Figure 13.

Evolution of SDGs based on total publications and citations

Table 1.

Main information of the data

Key information	Data
Data collection timespan	2002–2023
Number of source materials	198
Total document count	263
Average publication age	4.82
Average citation per document	10.65
Citation per document per year	1.632
Total number of references	5,697
Document types	No. of documents
Articles	150
Books	6
Book chapters	26
Conference papers	52
Conference reviews	13
Notes	3
Reviews	13

Source: Created by authors

Table 2.

Future research topics based on SciVal data

Topic	Prominence percentile
Industrial symbiosis; sustainable development; circular economy	99.91
Energy transition; innovation system; sustainability	99.86
Alternative energy; greenhouse gas emission; environmental policy	72.02

Source: Created by authors