Journal of Science Policy & Governance
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • JSPG Anniversary Page
    • Staff
    • Ambassadors
    • Boards >
      • Advisory Board
      • Governing Board
      • Editorial Board
    • Careers >
      • Associate Editor
    • Partners
    • Sponsorships
    • Contact
  • Volumes
    • Volume 25 Issue 01
    • Volume 24 Issue 01
    • Sigma Xi and Rita Allen Foundation - Civic Science for Transformative Policy Solutions to Societal Challenges
    • Volume 23 Issue 01
    • APS Policy and Governance on Science, Technology and Global Security
    • IAI Development Policy and Global Change Science to Achieve the Vision of Sustainable Americas
    • Volume 22 Issue 01
    • GHFUTURES2030 Strengthening Youth-centered Policy and Governance of Digital Transformations in Health.
    • UNESCO AND MGCY OPEN SCIENCE POLICIES AS AN ACCELERATOR FOR ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
    • Volume 21 Issue 01 >
      • Cover Memo: Volume 21, Issue 1, Summer Standard Issue
    • JSPG and UCL STEAPP Special Topics: Innovations in Science Diplomacy >
      • Cover Memo: Volume 20, Issue 3, Special Issue on Innovations in Science Diplomacy
    • Sigma XI-JSPG Special Issue: Re-envisioning STEM Education and Workforce Development for the 21st Century
    • Volume 20 Issue 01
    • JSPG Volume 19 Issue 01 (10 Years of Publishing)
    • Special Issue: 2021 NSPN-JSPG Policy Memo Competition
    • Special Issue: Shaping the Future of Science Policy
    • JSPG-UK SIN Special Issue: Climate Change Solutions
    • Volume 18 Issue 01
    • Special Issue: 2020 NSPN-JSPG Policy Memo Competition
    • Volume 17 Issue 01 (Supported by AAAS STPF)
    • JSPG-UN MGCY Special Issue: Impacts of Emerging Technologies
    • Volume 16 Issue 01
    • Volume 15 (Supported by CSPC)
    • Special Issue: 2019 NSPN-JSPG Policy Memo Competition
    • Volume 14
    • Volume 13
    • Volume 12
    • Volume 11
    • Volume 10
    • Volume 9
    • Volume 8
    • Volume 7
    • Volume 6
    • JSPG-UCS Special Issue: Healthy Food Policy
    • Volume 5
    • Volume 4
    • Special Issue: Hot Topics 2013
    • Volume 3
    • Volume 2
    • Volume 1
  • Submit to JSPG
    • Submission deadlines and guidelines
  • Announcements
    • News
    • Blog
  • Events
    • JSPG and NSPN 2024 Summer Standard Issue Events
    • Leadership chat series
  • Training
    • Writing
    • Resources
  • Media Mentions
  • Policy in action
  • Podcast
  • fabricated

Financial and Environmental Cost-Benefit Analyses Support the Continuation of Government Incentives for Solar Power

Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay
Journal of Science Policy & Governance | Volume 17, Issue 01 | September 30, 2020

Policy Memo: ​Financial and Environmental Cost-Benefit Analyses Support the Continuation of Government Incentives for Solar Power

Ryan Himes, London Withers, Alyssa Black

​Olivet Nazarene University, Department of Biological Sciences, Bourbonnais, IL
Download PDF
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG170109
Keywords:  solar energy; renewable energy; investment tax credit; government incentive; climate change; solar renewable energy credit; solar renewable energy certificate
Correction: A previous version of this paper was improperly formatted. The issue has now been corrected. (December 16, 2020).

Executive Summary: Solar power is a source of clean, renewable energy that can help consumers reduce their carbon footprints and curb climate change. In recent years, government incentives, along with improvements in efficiency and reduced costs, have made solar power financially beneficial for consumers as well. In order to accurately analyze the costs and benefits of a potential solar project, many factors must be considered. These include the size of the solar array, the amount of sun exposure, the lifespan of the panels and inverters, the lifespan of the roof or other foundation, the current and future price of utility-provided electricity, and the amount of government incentives offered. These factors are described in detail throughout this article, and the analysis reveals that government incentives for solar power projects make a substantial positive impact on the financial feasibility. We find that the US federal and state governments should continue their incentive programs in order to prompt more organizations to transition to solar power and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

-Read the full article through download.-

Download PDF

References

  1. British Petroleum. 2019. “BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019, No.68.” British Petroleum (Bp). https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/business-sites/en/global/corporate/pdfs/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-2019-full-report.pdf
  2. Crabtree, George W., and Nathan S. Lewis. 2007. “Solar Energy Conversion.” Physics Today. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2718755.
  3. Funk, C., & Kennedy, B. 2019. “How Americans See Climate Change in 5 Charts.” Pew Research Center. 2019. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/18/a-look-at-how-people-around-the-world-view-climate-change/
  4. Goodstein, Eban, and L Hunter Lovins. 2019. “A Pathway to Rapid Global Solar Energy Deployment? Exploring the Solar Dominance Hypothesis.” Energy Research & Social Science 56 (May): 101197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.05.007.
  5. “Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator - Calculations and References.” n.d. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references.
  6. Halper, E. 2014. “Rules Prevent Solar Panels in Many States with Abundant Sunlight.” Los Angeles Times, 2014. https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-no-solar-20140810-story.html
  7. IPCC. 2014. “Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report Summary Chapter for Policymakers.” Ipcc. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.
  8. Jordan, D. C., and S. R. Kurtz. 2013. “Photovoltaic Degradation Rates - An Analytical Review.” Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.1182.
  9. Lazard. 2018. “Lazard’s Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis — Version 12.0.” Lazard. https://www.lazard.com/media/450784/lazards-levelized-cost-of-energy-version-120-vfinal.pdf
  10. Lydersen, K. 2020. “Facing Coronavirus and a ‘cliff,’ Can Illinois Solar Survive?” Energy News Network, May 4, 2020. https://energynews.us/2020/05/04/midwest/facing-coronavirus-and-a-cliff-can-illinois-solar-survive/
  11. Myers, Q. 2019. “Illinois Faces Challenges in Reaching Renewable Energy Goals.” WTTW. 2019. https://news.wttw.com/2019/07/24/illinois-faces-challenges-reaching-renewable-energy-goals.
  12. Perez, R., and M. Perez. 2009. “A Fundamental Look At Energy Reserves For The Planet.” The International Energy Agency SHC Programme Solar Update. http://www.asrc.cestm.albany.edu/perez/Kit/pdf/a-fundamental-look-at%20the-planetary-energy-reserves.pdf
  13. Ruppenthal, A. 2019. “Illinois Defies National Trend by Adding 1,300 Solar Jobs in 2018.” WTTW, February 13, 2019. https://news.wttw.com/2019/02/13/illinois-solar-jobs-report
  14. Ryan, A. J., Ficawoyi D., & Calkins, L. N. 2019. “Subsidizing the Sun: The Impact of State Policies on Electricity Generated from Solar Photovoltaic.” Economic Analysis and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2019.04.012.
  15. Solar Energy Industries Association. 2020. “Solar Industry Research Data.” 2020. https://www.seia.org/solar-industry-research-data.
  16. Stokes, L. C., and Hanna L. B. 2018. “Politics in the U.S. Energy Transition: Case Studies of Solar, Wind, Biofuels and Electric Vehicles Policy.” Energy Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.10.057.
  17. Thomas, M. D. 2020. “Econometric Determinants of Residential Solar Development in the United States.” The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. https://search.proquest.com/openview/6d978a03238602d440fa4a19244d74e2/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  18. U.S. Energy Information Administration. 2019. “September 2019 Monthly Energy Review.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/archive/00351909.pdf
  19. United Nations. 2015. “Summary of the Paris Agreement.” United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/what-is-the-paris-agreement
  20. Wallimann, I. 2013. Environmental Policy Is Social Policy-Social Policy Is Environmental Policy: Toward Sustainability Policy. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6723-6.
  21. Warburg, P. 2019. “An Introduction to the State of Solar Power in the U.S.” Yale Climate Connections. 2019. https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2019/08/an-introduction-to-the-state-of-solar-power-in-the-u-s/.
  22. Weckend, S., Andreas, W., & Garvin H. 2016. End-of-Life Management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels. Golden, CO: NREL. https://www.irena.org/documentdownloads/publications/irena_ieapvps_end-of-life_solar_pv_panels_2016.pdf

Ryan Himes is a professor of biology at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. He earned his Ph.D. in human physiology from Loyola University Chicago, in the laboratory of Dr. Seth Robia.
 
London Withers is pursuing an environmental science bachelor’s degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the Honors Program. She plans to continue research with Dr. Himes on other environmental issues, specifically recycling programs.
 
Alyssa Black is currently in pursuit of a biology degree with a minor in chemistry at Olivet Nazarene University. She hopes to further involve herself in matters concerning environmental reform throughout her lifetime while also working in the medical field.


DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions published herein are solely attributed to the author and not necessarily endorsed or adopted by the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. Articles are distributed in compliance with copyright and trademark agreements.

ISSN 2372-2193
Picture
© 2022 Journal of Science Policy & Governance, Inc. All rights reserved. The opinions, findings and conclusions from JSPG publications, additional article commentaries and related events do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal.
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • JSPG Anniversary Page
    • Staff
    • Ambassadors
    • Boards >
      • Advisory Board
      • Governing Board
      • Editorial Board
    • Careers >
      • Associate Editor
    • Partners
    • Sponsorships
    • Contact
  • Volumes
    • Volume 25 Issue 01
    • Volume 24 Issue 01
    • Sigma Xi and Rita Allen Foundation - Civic Science for Transformative Policy Solutions to Societal Challenges
    • Volume 23 Issue 01
    • APS Policy and Governance on Science, Technology and Global Security
    • IAI Development Policy and Global Change Science to Achieve the Vision of Sustainable Americas
    • Volume 22 Issue 01
    • GHFUTURES2030 Strengthening Youth-centered Policy and Governance of Digital Transformations in Health.
    • UNESCO AND MGCY OPEN SCIENCE POLICIES AS AN ACCELERATOR FOR ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
    • Volume 21 Issue 01 >
      • Cover Memo: Volume 21, Issue 1, Summer Standard Issue
    • JSPG and UCL STEAPP Special Topics: Innovations in Science Diplomacy >
      • Cover Memo: Volume 20, Issue 3, Special Issue on Innovations in Science Diplomacy
    • Sigma XI-JSPG Special Issue: Re-envisioning STEM Education and Workforce Development for the 21st Century
    • Volume 20 Issue 01
    • JSPG Volume 19 Issue 01 (10 Years of Publishing)
    • Special Issue: 2021 NSPN-JSPG Policy Memo Competition
    • Special Issue: Shaping the Future of Science Policy
    • JSPG-UK SIN Special Issue: Climate Change Solutions
    • Volume 18 Issue 01
    • Special Issue: 2020 NSPN-JSPG Policy Memo Competition
    • Volume 17 Issue 01 (Supported by AAAS STPF)
    • JSPG-UN MGCY Special Issue: Impacts of Emerging Technologies
    • Volume 16 Issue 01
    • Volume 15 (Supported by CSPC)
    • Special Issue: 2019 NSPN-JSPG Policy Memo Competition
    • Volume 14
    • Volume 13
    • Volume 12
    • Volume 11
    • Volume 10
    • Volume 9
    • Volume 8
    • Volume 7
    • Volume 6
    • JSPG-UCS Special Issue: Healthy Food Policy
    • Volume 5
    • Volume 4
    • Special Issue: Hot Topics 2013
    • Volume 3
    • Volume 2
    • Volume 1
  • Submit to JSPG
    • Submission deadlines and guidelines
  • Announcements
    • News
    • Blog
  • Events
    • JSPG and NSPN 2024 Summer Standard Issue Events
    • Leadership chat series
  • Training
    • Writing
    • Resources
  • Media Mentions
  • Policy in action
  • Podcast
  • fabricated