Toward a Sunny Future? Global Integration in the Solar PV Industry

The paper examines the global integration of the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, focusing on the tension between the need for open global markets to lower costs and the desire for national policies to protect domestic green jobs. It argues that long-term government support, a price on carbon, and the removal of trade barriers are essential for accelerating deployment and innovation.

• To stimulate solar industry growth and local job creation, governments should implement predictable, long-term support frameworks and consider a price on carbon emissions to provide market signals that encourage innovation and cost reduction.
• Policymakers are encouraged to view employment in the solar sector holistically, looking beyond manufacturing to include roles in research, project development, installation, operations, and maintenance.
• Open global markets are critical for lowering costs and increasing solar PV deployment; conversely, protectionist policies and trade barriers risk slowing market development and triggering retaliatory actions.

APA

Kirkegaard, J. F., Hanemann, T., Weischer, L., & Miller, M. (n.d.). Toward a Sunny Future? Global Integration in the Solar PV Industry. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/research/toward-sunny-future-global-integration-solar-pv-industry

Chicago

Kirkegaard, Jacob Funk, Thilo Hanemann, Lutz Weischer, and Matt Miller. Toward a Sunny Future? Global Integration in the Solar PV Industry. World Resources Institute, n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/toward-sunny-future-global-integration-solar-pv-industry.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kirkegaard |first1=Jacob Funk |last2=Hanemann |first2=Thilo |last3=Weischer |first3=Lutz |last4=Miller |first4=Matt |title=Toward a Sunny Future? Global Integration in the Solar PV Industry |publisher=World Resources Institute |url=https://www.wri.org/research/toward-sunny-future-global-integration-solar-pv-industry |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kirkegaardndtoward, author = {Kirkegaard, Jacob Funk and Hanemann, Thilo and Weischer, Lutz and Miller, Matt}, title = {{Toward a Sunny Future? Global Integration in the Solar PV Industry}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/toward-sunny-future-global-integration-solar-pv-industry}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }