Innovative Activity in Wind and Solar Technology: Empirical Evidence on Knowledge Spillovers Using Patent Data

43 Pages Posted: 19 Jul 2010

See all articles by Frauke G. Braun

Frauke G. Braun

DIW German Institute for Econmic Research

Jens Schmidt-Ehmcke

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)

Petra Zloczysti

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: June 2010

Abstract

This paper studies technological change in renewable energies, providing empirical evidence on the determinants of innovative activity with a special emphasis on the role of knowledge spillovers. We investigate two major renewable energy technologies wind and solar across a panel of 21 OECD countries over the period 1978 to 2004. Spillovers may occur at the national level, either within the same technology field or economic sector (intra-sectoral spillovers) or in related technologies or sectors (inter-sectoral spillovers), or at the international level. We find that innovation is strongly driven by knowledge spillovers, especially those occurring at the national level. Wind and solar technologies exhibit distinct innovation characteristics: both are stimulated by intra-sectoral spillovers, but respond differently to inter-sectoral spillovers, which are only influential in the case of wind technology. We also find evidence that public R&D stimulates innovation, particularly in solar technologies.

Keywords: Climate Change, Innovation, Knowledge Spillover, Patents, Renewable Energy, Technological Change

JEL Classification: O31, Q42, Q55

Suggested Citation

Braun, Frauke G. and Schmidt-Ehmcke, Jens and Zloczysti, Petra, Innovative Activity in Wind and Solar Technology: Empirical Evidence on Knowledge Spillovers Using Patent Data (June 2010). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP7865, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1640387

Frauke G. Braun (Contact Author)

DIW German Institute for Econmic Research ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany
+493089789221 (Phone)

Jens Schmidt-Ehmcke

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany

Petra Zloczysti

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany

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