Barriers to Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Adoption on a National Scale in the United States

Abstract

The U.S. Government is facing immense pressure to reduce carbon emissions and shift towards renewable energy sources due to the pressing issue of climate change. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology, when implemented at the levels of residential, commercial businesses, and government agencies, has the potential to slow the rate of global warming, one step in addressing the climate crisis. Solar PVs provide an alternative to fossil fuels, with both lower carbon emissions and cost. The falling price of solar energy has made solar PVs increasingly cost effective compared to traditional, non-renewable energy sources. There are, however, a myriad of technological, environmental, political, economic, and social hurdles that prevent wider-spread solar adoption. While several solar-focused government policies and incentives have already been put in place, the government lacks a full understanding of the constraint space preventing widespread solar adoption. Identifying these barriers is a crucial step in developing effective and impactful plans and policy to expedite nation-wide implementation. This work evaluates current barriers to solar PV adoption within the U.S. and provides potential mitigation steps to address them. A list of recommendations for the U.S. federal government are also provided.