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How well do experience curves predict technological progress? A method for making distributional forecasts

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Listed:
  • Franc{c}ois Lafond
  • Aimee Gotway Bailey
  • Jan David Bakker
  • Dylan Rebois
  • Rubina Zadourian
  • Patrick McSharry
  • J. Doyne Farmer

Abstract

Experience curves are widely used to predict the cost benefits of increasing the deployment of a technology. But how good are such forecasts? Can one predict their accuracy a priori? In this paper we answer these questions by developing a method to make distributional forecasts for experience curves. We test our method using a dataset with proxies for cost and experience for 51 products and technologies and show that it works reasonably well. The framework that we develop helps clarify why the experience curve method often gives similar results to simply assuming that costs decrease exponentially. To illustrate our method we make a distributional forecast for prices of solar photovoltaic modules.

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  • Franc{c}ois Lafond & Aimee Gotway Bailey & Jan David Bakker & Dylan Rebois & Rubina Zadourian & Patrick McSharry & J. Doyne Farmer, 2017. "How well do experience curves predict technological progress? A method for making distributional forecasts," Papers 1703.05979, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2017.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1703.05979
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    3. Lafond, François & Greenwald, Diana & Farmer, J. Doyne, 2022. "Can Stimulating Demand Drive Costs Down? World War II as a Natural Experiment," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 82(3), pages 727-764, September.
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    8. Mitrašinović, Aleksandar M., 2021. "Photovoltaics advancements for transition from renewable to clean energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    9. Thomas Hale, 2020. "Catalytic Cooperation," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 20(4), pages 73-98, Autumn.
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    JEL classification:

    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • Q47 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy Forecasting

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