This study investigates the relationship between different types of direct and indirect renewable energy support policies and non-hydroelectric renewable energy capacities among 105 countries in the 1990-2014 period, and also analyzes twelve nations from the developed and developing world to understand social, political and institutional factors that contribute to higher deployment in renewable energy. The results show that non-fossil fuel obligations, feed-in tariffs, sustainable development and energy conservation policies are the strongest factors that correspond with higher non-hydroelectric renewable energy capacities. Strong and centralized institutions, a low-risk environment, pro-environment governments that allow larger sections of the society to participate in energy ownership and policymaking are country-specific aspects important in reaching high non-hydroelectric renewable energy capacities. From a larger perspective, the analysis also aims to demonstrate that there is no “one-size-fits-all” policy and achieving higher amounts of renewable energy depends on a set of other factors in addition to support policies.
