Technically, solar energy has resource potential that far exceeds
the entire global energy demand [8,9]. Despite this technical
potential and the recent exponential growth of the market, the
contribution of solar energy to the global energy supply mix is
still negligible [10]. One may wonder why the role of solar energy
in meeting the global energy supply mix is so a small. What are
the key barriers that prevented large-scale deployment of solar
energy in the national energy systems? What types of policy instru-
ments have been introduced to boost the solar energy markets?
Have these policies produced desired results? If not, what type
of new policy instruments would be needed? This study attempts
to answer some of these questions. Moreover, a large body of lit-
erature addressing the engineering dimensions of solar energy is
available; yet, literature dealing with economics and policies is
limited. This study is also expected to contribute to filling this
gap.