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Subsidies for Close Substitutes: Evidence from Residential Solar Systems

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  • Abajian, Alexander
  • Pretnar, Nick

Abstract

Policies promoting residential solar system adoption are designed assuming the associated generation displaces retail electricity purchases on a one-for-one basis. This assumption is not innocuous; electricity from residential solar systems is unlikely to be perfectly substitutable with grid electricity. We estimate a model of U.S. residential electricity demand allowing for spatial heterogeneity and imperfect substitution between forms of electricity to quantify the implications for green energy subsidization. We find subsidies inducing one kWh of residential solar electricity demand displace only 0.5 kWh of grid consumption. As an emissions reduction policy subsidies had national abatement costs of $332 per MTCO2 in 2018.

Suggested Citation

  • Abajian, Alexander & Pretnar, Nick, 2023. "Subsidies for Close Substitutes: Evidence from Residential Solar Systems," MPRA Paper 118171, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:118171
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Residential PV systems; residential electricity demand; rebound effects; energy subsidies;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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