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Robert M. Margolis

Photo of Robert M. Margolis

Robert M. Margolis is a member of the Technology Systems and Sustainability Analysis Group in the Strategic Energy Analysis Center.

Senior Analyst
On staff since April 2003
Phone number: 202-488-2222
E-mail: robert.margolis@nrel.gov

Analysis expertise

  • Energy-economic-environmental modeling, including national and global-scale models
  • Economic and market analysis of renewable energy technologies
  • R&D planning and evaluation
  • Long-term scenario development

Primary research interests

  • Science and technology policy
  • Research, development, and demonstration policy
  • Energy technology
  • Environmental policy

Education or background training

  • Ph.D. in science, technology, and environmental policy, 2002, Princeton University
  • M.S. in technology and policy, 1992, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • B.S. in electrical engineering, 1988, University of Rochester

Prior work experience

  • Executive director/research faculty, Center for the Study and Improvement of Regulation, Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (May 2002-March 2003)
  • Research fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (September 1999-April 2002)
  • Research associate, Stockholm Environment Institute-Boston, Tellus Institute, Boston, Massachusetts (November 1992-June 1995)
  • Research assistant, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (June 1990-October 1992)
  • Design engineer, Advanced Sensors Group, Texas Instruments, Attleboro, Massachusetts (June 1988-October 1989)

Other affiliations

  • Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • Member of the International Association for Energy Economics
  • Member of the American Solar Energy Society

Selected publications

Coggeshall, C.; Margolis, R. M. (2010). "Consortia Focused on Photovoltaic R&D, Manufacturing, and Testing: A Review of Existing Models and Structures." 44 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-6A2-47866.

Denholm, P.; Drury, E.; Margolis, R. (2009). "Solar Deployment System (SolarDS) Model: Documentation and Sample Results." 63 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-6A2-45832.

Denholm, P.; Margolis, R. M.; Ong, S.; Roberts, B. (2009). "Break-Even Cost for Residential Photovoltaics in the United States: Key Drivers and Sensitivities." 33 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-6A2-46909.

Drury, E.; Denholm, P.; Margolis, R. M. (2009). "Solar Photovoltaics Wedge: Pathways for Growth and Potential Carbon Mitigation in the U.S." Article No. 034010. Environmental Research Letters. Vol. 4(3), 2009; 11 pp.; NREL Report No. JA-6A2-45512. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/4/3/034010

Denholm, P.; Margolis, R. M. (2007). "Evaluating the Limits of Solar Photovoltaics (PV) in Traditional Electric Power Systems." Energy Policy, Vol. 35(5), 2007; pp. 2852-2861; NREL Report No. JA-640-41459. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2006.10.014

Hoff, T. E.; Perez, R.; Margolis, R. M. (2005). "Maximizing the Value of Customer-Sited PV Systems Using Storage and Controls." Goswami, D. Y.; Vijayaraghavan, S.; Campbell-Howe, R., eds. Proceedings of 2005 Solar World Congress: Bringing Water to the World, 8-12 August 2005, Orlando, Florida. Boulder, CO: American Solar Energy Society (ASES) 6 pp.; NREL Report No. CP-620-39712.

Levene, J. I.; Mann, M. K.; Margolis, R. M.; Milbrandt, A. (2007). "Analysis of Hydrogen Production from Renewable Electricity Sources." Solar Energy. Vol. 81(6), 2007; pp. 773-780; NREL Report No. JA-560-40404. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2006.10.005

Margolis, R., R. Mitchell, and K. Zweibel. 2006. "Lessons Learned from the Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology/PV Manufacturing R&D and Thin-Film PV Partnership Projects." Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL Technical Report (NREL/TP-520-39780). September.

Wiser, R., M. Bolinger, P. Clappers, and R. Margolis. 2006. "PV Cost Trends: Letting the Sun Shine on Solar Costs in California." REFocus. September/October. pp. 26-31.

Perez, R., B. Collins, R. Margolis, T. Hoff, C. Herig, J. Williams and S. Letendre. 2005. "Solution to the Summer Blackouts? How Dispersed Solar Power-Generating Systems Can Help Prevent the Next Major Outage." Solar Today, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 32-35 (July/August).

Margolis, R. and Wood F., 2004, "The Role for Solar in the Long-Term Outlook of Electric Power Generation in the U.S." Paper presented at the IAEE North American Conference in Washington, DC, July 8-10.

Hoff T. and Margolis, R., 2004, "Are Photovoltaic Systems Worth More to Residential Consumers on Net Metered Time-of-Use Rates?" Paper presented at the ASES2004 Conference in Portland, Oregon, July 11-14.

Margolis, R. and Guston, D., 2003, "The Origins, Accomplishments, and Demise of the OTA." In Morgan, M. G, and Jon Peha (eds.), Science and Technology Advice to the Congress. Washington, D.C.: Resources for the Future Press.

Margolis, R. and Kammen, D., 1999, "Evidence of Under-Investment in Energy R&D in the United States and the Impact of Federal Policy," Energy Policy, Vol. 27, Issue, 10, pp. 575-584.

Margolis, R. and Kammen, D., 1999, "The Energy Technology and R&D Policy Challenge," Science, Vol. 285 (July 30), pp. 690-692.

Margolis, R., 1995, "Probabilistic Policy Experiments: The Use of Energy-Economic-Environmental Models in the Climate Change Policy Process," International Journal of Environment and Pollution, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 52-71.

Full list of Robert Margolis publications (NREL)