Hurdles and steps: Estimating demand for solar photovoltaics

This paper estimates demand for residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems using a new approach to address three empirical challenges that often arise with count data: excess zeros, unobserved heterogeneity, and endogeneity of price. Our results imply a price elasticity of demand for solar PV systems of -0.65. Counterfactual policy simulations indicate that reducing state financial incentives in half would have led to 9% fewer new installations in Connecticut in 2014. Calculations suggest a subsidy program cost of $364/tCO(2) assuming solar displaces natural gas. Our Poisson hurdle approach holds promise for modeling the demand for many new technologies.