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(DP 2015-08) Solar Power's Rise and Promise

UPSE Discussion Papers

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Title (DP 2015-08) Solar Power's Rise and Promise
 
Creator Pernia, Ernesto M.
Generoso, Maria Janela M.
 
Subject Renewable energy; Inclusive green growth; Rural electrification; Economic development
 
Description Time was when solar energy was facilely dismissed as impractical, inefficient, and pricey. In recent years, however, innovations in technology, regulation, and financing have resulted in remarkable efficiency improvements and price reductions, thereby reversing the skepticism about this renewable energy (RE) source. In this paper, we explore how this has happened, to what extent photovoltaic solar technology has been accepted around the world, and what might be its potential for inclusive green growth. We find that adoption of both on-grid and off-grid solar systems has been widespread and rapidly increasing. Particularly noteworthy is the utilization of small- scale individual or distributed off-grid solar home systems (SHS) in remote and underserved areas in the developing world, including East Africa and South Asia. It appears that the Philippines has been a relative latecomer. Data show that solar power's "installed" capacity remains a tiny fraction of all RE sources (that also include hydro, geothermal, wind, biomass, and ocean). Moreover, such capacity is for ongrid only; there seems none as yet installed for off-grid SHS. We conclude with the paper's main points and possible implications for policy and research.JEL Classification:  O10, O14, Q20, Q28
 
Publisher UPSE Discussion Papers
 
Contributor —
 
Date 2015-08-05
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Peer-reviewed Article
 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier http://www.econ.upd.edu.ph/dp/index.php/dp/article/view/1478
 
Source UPSE Discussion Papers; 2015 Discussion Papers
 
Language eng
 
Relation http://www.econ.upd.edu.ph/dp/index.php/dp/article/view/1478/961