EIA's Policies to promote RE in US and selected countries

Policies to Promote Non-hydro Renewable Energy in the United States and Selected Countries, EIA, Feb 2005
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/non_hydro/nonhydro_toc.html

• V. useful comparison of trends in RE and policies in U.S., California, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Japan

• Nice graphs merging levels or shares of RE over time in each country and the national policies concerning it
• 25 Table with summary of countries' RE policies and comparison to U.S. policy
• Not sure exactly why Netherlands is included - relatively high proportion of RE cones from biomass, but report mostly discusses failure to implement wind goals
• Danish wind manufacturer Vestas (merged with NEG Micron in late 2003) is biggest in world
• 11 Germany: report credits strong government commitment to RE, feed-in law, demonstration/subsidy program with advancements in wind. 100,000 solar roof program in 2000.
• 14 Denmark: report credits government consistency in setting and meeting RE goals, investment subsidy for RE infrastructure from 1979-89; FIT at 70-85% of retail price, CO2 tax waived for RE, production credit per kWh in 1992; Danish Wind Turbine Guarantee guaranteed long-term financing of wind projects using Danish-made turbines. Also, subsidized replacement of loud turbines with newer ones to increase public acceptance. Laws passed in 1994 and 1996 made it easier for individuals to buy shares in wind cooperatives in their neighborhoods. Since 2000, has moved away from guaranteed pricing and toward tradeable green electricity certificates.
• 18 Netherlands: Investment subsidies for wind and another for turbines meeting noise requirements and sited in unpopulated areas. Reliance on voluntary agreements and multi-layered permitting process led to failure to meet stated wind goals. Ecotax system provides subsidy to producers of green power as well as tax on fossil fuels, making RE cheaper in comparison. Domestic demand exceeds supply, so Neth imports green electricity.
• 21 Japan: Success in PV attributed to gov't-provided net metering guidelines, 4600 MW of PV goal by 2010, installation subsidies, and 70000 solar roofs program.
• Discussion of U.S. and CA policies beginning on p. 6 and comparison throughout paper. PURPA required utilities to buy power from RE producers at utilities "avoided cost" which did not provide the same incentive as most FITs. 1978 Energy Tax act (extended to 1985 then 1988) provided 10% tax credit for investments in wind, solar, geothermal, ocean thermal incentivized bigger businesses that could take advantage of the full credit. Wind PTC must be renewed semiannually by Congress, does not provide enough stability. Complex structure of federal + local laws can be confusing.