The Solyndra case: an institutional economics perspective on the optimal role of government support for green technology development

Erik L. Olson and Harald Biong

International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 36-47

Abstract: More than three years after its highly publicised bankruptcy, Solyndra continues to resonate as an example of well-intentioned government policies gone wrong. This paper examines the Solyndra case using an institutional economics perspective to determine if the government's relationship with the firm was optimal in achieving environmental and energy public policy goals while minimising risk. The analysis reveals several government deviations from theory prescribed best practice, and illustrates opposing theoretical governance prescriptions for stimulating future technological innovation at the macro and micro levels.

Keywords: photovoltaics; solar energy; solar power; Solyndra; transaction cost economics; TCE; agency theory; market failure; institutional economics; government role; green technology; technology development; government policy; environmental policy; energy policy; public policy; technological innovation. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijbcrm:v:6:y:2015:i:1:p:36-47

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