From a breeze to the four winds: A panel analysis of the international diffusion of renewable energy incentive policies (2005–2015)

How do renewable energy policies (REPs) diffuse internationally? Are there differences between developed and developing countries? Which actors are diffusing these REPs? Also, what predominates when considering REP diffusion, national or international factors? The goal of this paper is to analyze the main vectors and actors that influence renewable energy policy adoption and identify differences between developed and developing countries. We access those questions by a mixed method analysis: quali and quantitatively. First, we discuss qualitatively the main external, intermediate and internal actors behind international wind energy policies diffusion. Then, we estimate a Poisson regression model using data for 194 countries, 102 of which are developing countries, from 2005 to 2015 testing the role of policy diffusion mechanisms on renewable energy policy diffusion. Among the main results, we found strong evidence of socialization and learning on international policy diffusion to developing countries, while domestic factors play a major role, especially with regard to market liberalization in developed countries. We also show some of the key actors related to REPs and we note that the causal mechanisms that lead to the adoption of REPs may differ among countries according to their level of economic development.