China, India, and South Africa have recognized the importance of renewable electricity for their future development. In this paper, we investigate the experience of the three countries in applying generation-based policies to promote renewable electricity. In contrast to the European experience, which proposes feed-in tariffs as the most successful policy to promote renewable electricity generation, emerging economies show strong interest in little acknowledged auction-based tariffs. We explore how and why different generation-based policies for solar photovoltaic (PV) are applied, as well as what their prospects are. Our comparison highlights the importance of policy objectives on policy choice and design. All three emerging economies need to promote electricity from renewables while keeping electricity prices low. Hence, they are experimenting with policies and design options and arriving at country specific solutions. Despite applying different policy instruments and designs that put strong emphasis on low-cost solutions, all three countries seem able to reach their ambitious deployment targets.

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China, India, and South Africa have recognized the importance of renewable electricity for their future development. In this paper, we investigate the experience of the three countries in applying generation-based policies to promote renewable electricity. In contrast to the European experience, which proposes feed-in tariffs as the most successful policy to promote renewable electricity generation, emerging economies show strong interest in little acknowledged auction-based tariffs. We explore how and why different generation-based policies for solar photovoltaic (PV) are applied, as well as what their prospects are. Our comparison highlights the importance of policy objectives on policy choice and design. All three emerging economies need to promote electricity from renewables while keeping electricity prices low. Hence, they are experimenting with policies and design options and arriving at country specific solutions. Despite applying different policy instruments and designs that put strong emphasis on low-cost solutions, all three countries seem able to reach their ambitious deployment targets.

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Despite the large-scale investments of both China and the EU in climate-change mitigation and renewable-energy promotion, the prevailing view on China–EU relations is one of conflict rather than cooperation. In order to evaluate the prospects of cooperation between China and the EU in these policy fields, empirical research has to go beyond simplistic narratives. This paper suggests a conceptual apparatus that will help researchers better understand the complexities of the real world. The relevant actors operate at different levels and in the public and private sectors. The main message of the paper is that combining the multilevel governance and value-chain approaches helps clarify the multiple relationships between these actors.