The Influence of Rebates and Incentives on the Solar Industry; What Obstacles Remain for US National Adoption of Solar PV?

摘要

In 2006, 1,744 megawatts of solar power was installed across the world. The United States, with plenty of sunlight and a high potential for solar energy, only contributed 140 MW or 8% of that total while Germany, with sun-hours that rival Anchorage, Alaska, installed 968 MW, leading the world in the amount of solar installed. While Germany has a simple, national, and uniform incentive, the United States has more than 50 rebate and interconnection programs administered at the state and local level. These programs have large discrepancies in structure, funding, and success which impact the adoption of solar, or lack thereof, across state boundaries. Until the U.S. implements a national solar policy, it will not become a global leader in solar energy.