Microeconomics of the Solar Rebound Under Net Metering

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
Year: 2025
Volume: 12
Issue: 5
Pages: 1317 - 1353

Authors (3)

Matthew E. Oliver (not in RePEc) Juan Moreno-Cruz (not in RePEc) Kenneth T. Gillingham (Yale School of the Environment)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Residential solar photovoltaics generate “green” electricity but may also lead to an increase in household electricity consumption—a phenomenon termed the “solar rebound effect.” This study develops a theoretical framework for understanding the solar rebound. We show that the solar rebound is inherently linked to the net-metering compensation a household faces. While the solar rebound is often simply a pure income effect, it can also include a substitution effect in some policy contexts. A negative solar rebound is even possible. We derive the welfare effects of the solar rebound and provide insights for econometric estimation.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/733484
Journal Field
Environment
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25