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Encouraging voluntary government action via a solar-friendly designation program to promote solar energy in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Xue Gao

    (a Department of Political Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146;)

  • Casey Canfield

    (b Engineering Management & Systems Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409;)

  • Tian Tang

    (c Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306;)

  • Hunter Hill

    (c Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306;)

  • Morgan Higman

    (c Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306;)

  • John Cornwell

    (d The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712)

Abstract

Due to market and system failures, policies and programs at the local level are needed to accelerate the renewable energy transition. A voluntary environmental program (VEP), such as SolSmart, can encourage local governments to adopt solar-friendly best practices. Unlike previous research, this study uses a national sample, more recent data, and a matched control group for difference-in-differences estimation to quantify the causal impact of a VEP in the public, rather than private, sector. We offer empirical evidence that SolSmart increased installed solar capacity and, with less statistical significance, the number of solar installations. The results inform the design of sustainability-focused VEPs and future research to understand the causal pathways between local governments’ voluntary actions and solar market development.

Suggested Citation

  • Xue Gao & Casey Canfield & Tian Tang & Hunter Hill & Morgan Higman & John Cornwell, 2022. "Encouraging voluntary government action via a solar-friendly designation program to promote solar energy in the United States," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119(11), pages 2106201119-, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2106201119
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