This paper explores how rethinking the global environmental trade agreement could produce long-term benefits, for example by allowing laggard countries to catch up with those more advanced in producing clean energy technologies Read more
solar PV
A rumoured plan from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to dramatically restrict solar panels on farmland in the UK will not help food security – which is threatened far more by climate change – let alone energy security, and is at odds with the Government’s Net Zero Strategy. The UK should be seeking to invest and innovate in ‘Agri-PV’ schemes instead, writes Leo Mercer. Read more
A significant share of German municipalities have amended their building codes to restrict solar installations, often to preserve the historical nature of towns. These restrictions have an economically important impact on solar adoption. These restrictions should be reviewed to see whether they are still warranted today and in the future, as technology evolves. Read more
This paper examines the effects of Chinese import competition on European company's solar photovoltaic (PV) technology innovation. it finds that competition from China encouraged European innovation, calling into question the rationale behind the trade war. Read more
This paper investigates the role of ‘social spillovers’ in the adoption of new technologies. The authors find that the French-German language border in Switzerland acts as a barrier to social interactions and, eventually, to the adoption of new technologies – in this case solar PV. Read more
