Solar Energy Industry as a Part of the Romanian Renewable Energy Industry: A Multi-level Territorial Approach

Abstract The green economy emerges differently depending on each region particular features, as well as local economic strengths and weaknesses; solar energy however, represents the way regional and local natural potentials are valorized. The current paper brings to our attention aspects related to the economic and legislative factors influencing the use and territorial distribution of solar energy, as a component of the Romanian renewable energy industry at all territorial levels: the national characteristics of the use of renewable energy resources are highlighted through the analysis of dynamics of official statistical variables (National Institute of Statistics); at regional and county levels, the analysis highlights the territorial differences in the use of solar energy; analysis at local level reveals the environmental and socio-economic effects of the of solar energy use (i.e. photovoltaic parks), as indicated by the information provided by a questionnaire survey carry out in Giurgiu County (case study).