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Investment versus Output Subsidies: Implications of Alternative Incentives for Wind Energy

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  • Joseph E. Aldy
  • Todd D. Gerarden
  • Richard L. Sweeney

Abstract

This study examines the choice between subsidizing investment and subsidizing output to promote socially desirable production. We exploit a natural experiment to estimate the impact of subsidy margin on the productivity of wind farms. Using instrumental variable and matching estimators, we find that investment subsidy claimants produce 10%–12% less power than they would have under the output subsidy. Accounting for extensive margin effects, we show that output subsidies are more cost-effective than investment subsidies over a large range of output targets.

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  • Joseph E. Aldy & Todd D. Gerarden & Richard L. Sweeney, 2023. "Investment versus Output Subsidies: Implications of Alternative Incentives for Wind Energy," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 10(4), pages 981-1018.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/723142
    DOI: 10.1086/723142
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wu, Ting & Yang, Shuwang & Tan, Jingjing, 2020. "Impacts of government R&D subsidies on venture capital and renewable energy investment -- an empirical study in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    3. Bianchi, Mattia & Murtinu, Samuele & Scalera, Vittoria G., 2019. "R&D Subsidies as Dual Signals in Technological Collaborations," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    4. Iwona Bąk & Anna Spoz & Magdalena Zioło & Marek Dylewski, 2021. "Dynamic Analysis of the Similarity of Objects in Research on the Use of Renewable Energy Resources in European Union Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, July.
    5. Kalouptsidi, Myrto & Barwick, Panle Jia & Zahur, Nahim Bin, 2019. "China’s Industrial Policy: an Empirical Evaluation," CEPR Discussion Papers 13889, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Josse Delfgaauw & Otto H. Swank, 2023. "The Political Economy of Commitment to Policies," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 23-060/VII, Tinbergen Institute.
    7. Lee, Jonathan M. & Howard, Gregory, 2021. "The impact of technical efficiency, innovation, and climate policy on the economic viability of renewable electricity generation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    8. Beaudoin, Justin & Chen, Yuan & Heres, David R. & Kheiravar, Khaled H. & Lade, Gabriel E. & Yi, Fujin & Zhang, Wei & Lin Lawell, C.-Y. Cynthia, 2018. "Environmental Policies in the Transportation Sector: Taxes, Subsidies, Mandates, Restrictions, and Investment," ISU General Staff Papers 201808150700001050, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    9. Panle Jia Barwick & Myrto Kalouptsidi & Nahim Bin Zahur, 2019. "China’s Industrial Policy: an Empirical Evaluation," NBER Working Papers 26075, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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