Researchers determined that, over the past three decades, advances in clean energy technology have been driven roughly equally by established inventors and new entrants. However, their analysis reveals important differences in how these two groups respond to economic incentives.

Experienced inventors already active in clean technologies significantly intensify their innovation efforts when fossil fuel prices rise, as higher prices make renewables and nuclear energy more competitive.

In contrast, new inventors, despite their crucial contributions to clean innovation, respond more slowly due to the substantial training and resources required to build expertise in specialized energy technologies.

Read the full story on the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business website.

Sarah Magnus-Sharpe is director of public relations and communications at the SC Johnson College of Business.