Consumers' preference for renewable energy in the southwest USA

The southwestern part of the US has abundant supply of renewable energy resources but little is known about the consumers' preferences for renewable energy in this region. This paper investigates households' willingness to pay for a renewable energy program in a southwestern state, New Mex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy economics 2011-11, Vol.33 (6), p.1119-1126
Main Authors: Mozumder, Pallab, Vásquez, William F., Marathe, Achla
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative energy
Applied sciences
Consumer preferences
Consumers
Contingent valuation
Economic data
Economics
Energy
Energy economics
Energy policy
Energy resources
Estimation
Exact sciences and technology
General, economic and professional studies
Households
Markets
Natural energy
New Mexico
Power supply
Prices
Public utilities
Renewable energy
Renewable energy sources
Renewable resources
Studies
Surveys
United States
Valuation
Willingness to pay
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Summary:The southwestern part of the US has abundant supply of renewable energy resources but little is known about the consumers' preferences for renewable energy in this region. This paper investigates households' willingness to pay for a renewable energy program in a southwestern state, New Mexico (NM). Using the contingent valuation method, we provide different scenarios that include provision of 10% and 20% of renewable energy supply, to elicit households' willingness to pay (WTP) for the renewable energy. We estimate the WTP for specific shares of renewable energy in the total energy mix as it is a key factor in affecting the price of the energy portfolio in the market. The survey design also allows us to check the scope sensitivity of renewable energy which can help guide the future renewable energy policy. We hope results from this study will offer useful insights to energy regulators and utility companies and help them increase the share of renewable energy supply. ► We estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for renewable energy in the southwestern US. ► Households' WTP in New Mexico is estimated using the contingent valuation method. ► WTP is estimated for 10% - 20% shares of renewable energy in the total energy mix. ► WTP estimates indicate scope sensitivity for a larger share of renewable energy.
ISSN:0140-9883
1873-6181
DOI:10.1016/j.eneco.2011.08.003