Framework for estimation of the direct rebound effect for residential photovoltaic systems

Residential rooftop solar adoption can paradoxically lead to higher total electricity consumption than expected because “free” PV electricity lowers household energy costs, prompting some additional usage. EPIcenter affiliate Oliver and his Georgia Tech colleague Toroghi propose an innovative method that pairs economic demand modeling with high-resolution GIS PV potential analysis to estimate this “direct rebound […]

Microeconomics of the solar rebound effect

A recent study by Matthew E. Oliver from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his co-authors, Juan Moreno-Cruz from the University of Waterloo and Kenneth Gillingham from Yale University, delves into the solar rebound effect. The “solar rebound effect” is a phenomenon where households with residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems end up consuming more electricity in response to greater solar energy […]

Turning up the heat: Georgia Tech economist finds price has little impact on consumers’ thermostat choices

In a study by a Georgia Tech economist that could help inform future energy policy, half the participants cranked their thermostats despite knowing exactly how much each extra degree would cost them. Prices are typically the first tool used to get people to save energy, noted Dylan Brewer, assistant professor in the Georgia Tech School of Economics. […]

To save energy, users let smart thermostats take the lead

People using energy-efficient smart thermostats are willing to sacrifice comfort and control to save relatively small amounts of energy that could add up if enough people sign on, a Georgia Tech economist reported in a recent study. With federal and state energy policies targeting aggressive decarbonization in the next 15 years, smart technologies have the […]