Effective Deployment of Photovoltaics in the Mediterranean countries: Balancing Policy Risk and Return
Journal
Solar Energy
Type
newspaper article
Date Issued
2010-06
Author(s)
Luethi, Sonja
Abstract
Although the Mediterranean region is blessed with abundant solar resources, photovoltaic energy currently represents a very small
share of power production. In Germany however, a much less sunny country, the photovoltaic (PV) industry is booming. This country
has become a front runner in the adoption of PV because of effective policy incentives. Based on a cross-case study analysis of the German,
Spanish and Greek PV markets, this paper investigates factors determining the effectiveness of PV policies. Our analysis shows that,
above a certain level of return, risk-related factors (such as policy instability and administrative hurdles) play a more important role in
influencing investment decisions than return-related factors (such as the level of a feed-in tariff).
share of power production. In Germany however, a much less sunny country, the photovoltaic (PV) industry is booming. This country
has become a front runner in the adoption of PV because of effective policy incentives. Based on a cross-case study analysis of the German,
Spanish and Greek PV markets, this paper investigates factors determining the effectiveness of PV policies. Our analysis shows that,
above a certain level of return, risk-related factors (such as policy instability and administrative hurdles) play a more important role in
influencing investment decisions than return-related factors (such as the level of a feed-in tariff).
Language
English
Keywords
Support policies
PV systems
Policy effectiveness
Policy risk
Feed-in tariffs
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd.
Volume
84
Number
6
Start page
1059
End page
1071
Pages
13
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
62424