This Master’s thesis deals with performance and disassembly possibilities of financing of panel and flat building’s reconstruction. The thesis focuses mainly on the financing through grant from the PANEL. The specific example demonstrates the analysis and subsequent selection the most appropriate method of financing the general revitalization.

Climate change has already had major impacts on our planet. Loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves, are a few of these. Many scientists believe that a continued climate change will have even more severe impact on our planet. To tackle the climate change, a fast transition towards renewable energy sources is necessary. One of the most promising sources of renewable energy is solar energy. To achieve the goal of making the world more reliable on solar energy, various actors try to improve the technology and the financial basis regarding this way of extracting energy. In this transition, calculations have to be as accurate as possible, in order to benefit from them when installing solar panels. This bachelor thesis intends to create an investment model for solar plants and an optimization of the plant’s size based on net present value. The model is built in Microsoft Excel, and factors such as electricity prices, electricity production/consumption and several others are taken into account. Based on the comparison with a case study and the calculations made by the model, the results suggest a reliable model. On behalf of Herrljunga Elektriska AB, the model is created to help them generate reliable and fast investment calculations, which will hopefully bring value to their business.

This thesis deals with the influence of degradation mechanisms to change the parameters of photovoltaic panels. The aim of the study was the long-term monitoring of selected solar modules, comparing their parameters with measurements from previous years and the evaluation of degradation mechanisms on their properties. The theoretical part is focused on the description of the monitored parameters and defects Panel, are discussed measuring methods by which the modules were monitored. Experimental part then consists of measuring modules individual test methods. The measured values were subsequently constructed graphical dependence, and the results were compared with measurements from previous years. The last part of the thesis is devoted to evaluation of the degradation of PV modules.

This thesis provides analytical and experimental proof-of-concept for a new feedback-controlled sound transmission control module for use in an active segmented partition (ASP) array. The objective of such a module is to provide high transmission loss down to low audible frequencies while minimizing the overall mass of the module. This objective is accomplished in the new module by using actively controlled panels in conjunction with analog feedback controllers. The new module also overcomes two limitations that exist in current ASP modules: the inability to control broadband random-noise and the lack of bidirectional control through the module. Overcoming these limitations represents an important advancement in the research area of actively controlled partitions and broadens the number of potential applications for ASP arrays. Analogous circuit models were developed and used to predict the performance of the new ASP module under feedback control. The preliminary design consists of two loudspeaker drivers mounted back-to-back in a duct, with two decoupled analog feedback controllers connected to reduce the vibration of the loudspeaker cones. It was found that the classical analogous circuit model of a loudspeaker proved inadequate for modeling the low- and mid-frequency transmission loss due to resonance effects of the loudspeaker surround. An enhanced model of a loudspeaker was then used to account for this phenomenon and more accurately predict the transmission loss behavior. An experimental proof-of-concept module was constructed using two 10 cm diameter loudspeaker drivers, two accelerometers, and other off-the-shelf materials. The two analog feedback controllers used in the module were designed and built using measured frequency response function techniques. The passive and active transmission loss of the module was measured using a plane-wave tube. Transmission loss of broadband random-noise in excess of 50 dB was achieved between 100 Hz and 2 kHz. The experimental transmission loss results validated the numerical model and showcased the transmission loss performance of the new module design.

Presently fewer than one in ten patented inventions are green, while it is broadly assumed that a substantially larger fraction will be needed to address the climate challenge. Recent literature has addressed this topic by developing theoretical growth models with endogenous and directed technical change. An empirical application of this theoretical framework on the automotive industry has shown that firms tend to innovate more in electric cars when fuel prices rise, and also when they can benefit from spillovers in clean technology. Although transitioning to electric cars is important for a green future, today's electricity is mainly derived from non-renewable sources. This paper focuses on solar power, which has large potential to provide the economy with clean energy. We construct micro-level panel data with observations from nearly 200 countries over a 20-year period and investigate how energy prices, R&D-subsidies, path-dependence and financial markets influence innovative activities. The results provide robust evidence for the role of directed technical change in the transition to clean energy. / Actualmente menos de una en cada diez invenciones patentadas es "verde" cuando, sin embargo, es ampliamente aceptado que una mayor proporción de este tipo de patentes es necesaria para afrontar el reto climático. Recientemente la literatura económica ha incorporado el cambio climático mediante el desarrollo de modelos de crecimiento endógeno con cambio tecnológico dirigido. Una aplicación empírica de esta literatura en el sector automovilístico ha demostrado que las empresas innovan más en coches híbridos y eléctricos cuando los precios del petróleo aumentan y, también, cuando los productores se benefician de un mayor conocimiento en tecnologías limpias. Aunque la transición a los coches eléctricos representa un paso importante para un futuro verde, la mayoría de la electricidad es todavía generada a través de fuentes de energía no renovables. Esta investigación sin embargo se centra en el sector solar, que tiene el potencial de satisfacer todas nuestras necesidades energéticas con energía limpia. Mediante la construcción de un panel (micro) de datos longitudinales con cobertura de toda la industria solar durante un periodo de 20 años analizamos cómo los precios de la energía, los subsidios a I+D, la dependencia del camino, y los mercados financieros afectan a las actividades innovadoras. Los resultados de esta investigación proporcionan evidencia sólida a favor del cambio tecnológico dirigido en la transición a una economía limpia.

This thesis presents an analysis of the dynamic process of economic growth, national welfare and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. An assessment of the methodological designs of applied growth research is undertaken in order to polarise the limitations associated with cross-sectional growth regressions. The cross-country cross- sectional methodology that has been the dominant feature of empirical growth analysis may suffer from an endogeneity and omitted variable bias. A panel data approach is adopted in order to address the econometric issues associated with cross-sectional study designs. To highlight the discrepancies between theory and empirics, a rudimentary description of the Solow model is offered. Extensions of the Solow paradigm are also discussed and form the basis of the theoretical foundations of the research. The relationship between health and economic growth within the existing literature has considered the consequences of poor population health in determining national income levels. Disease-specific effects have been included in growth regressions to capture the output losses associated with the widespread reduction in human capabilities. This thesis contributes to the existing literature by testing the empirical relationship between economic growth and the HIV/AIDS epidemic for a broad cross-section of countries. Previous empirical studies have not presented a unified account of the epidemic's effects in determining cross- country productivity differentials. The way in which the epidemic might impede economic prosperity is considered by drawing upon the existing literature. The strengths and limitations of previous study estimates are considered in relation to the study design. A more robust empirical estimator for growth regressions is proposed in the form of a system Generalised Method of Moments estimator. The research extends on previous study estimates by considering the epidemic's effect across the conditional quantiles of the growth distribution. A central prediction of the neoclassical growth paradigm relates to the convergence hypothesis in which poorer economies are considered to achieve faster growth rates. By drawing upon the distributional changes in national income over time for the entire cross-section of countries, this thesis will assess the potential barriers that may violate the theoretical predictions of the convergence hypothesis. An empirical assessment of the role of convergence clubs, mortality and poverty traps will be presented through an analysis of the changes in health and income inequality over time. The distributional shifts that have occurred over the period under analysis consider the consequences of growth as a measure of national welfare.

The Regional Council of Jämtland has a goal to increase the export of renewable energy and with that reduce the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One of the measures used to reach this goal is to give subsidies and tax reductions for investments in photovoltaics. Photovoltaics are generally perceived as “good for the environment” and give a “good image” to companies. They are marketed as interesting for private persons and farmers from a profitability point of view. Sweden has an electricity mix with average CO2 emissions of 20-30 g/kWh. Compared to other countries in Europe this is very low. The CO2 emissions of photovoltaics during their lifetime are 46 g/kWh according to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Taking this in consideration it can be concluded that photovoltaics actually increase GHG emissions as they have higher emissions of CO2 than the average in Sweden. When the decision to invest in photovoltaics is made with profitability as a main reason, it is debatable if the subsidies and tax reductions are needed. When the decision to invest in photovoltaics is made with environmental concern as a main reason, the subsidies might be given to other environmental technologies that are better from a climate perspective. Considering this, the push for profitability of photovoltaics can be seen as just another increase in consumption.

Non-linearities and dynamic interactions between state variables are characteristic of complex social systems and processes. In this thesis, we present a new methodology to model these non-linearities and interactions from the large panel datasets available for some of these systems. We build macro-level statistical models that can verify theoretical predictions, and use polynomial basis functions so that each term in the model represents a specific mechanism. This bridges the existing gap between macro-level theories supported by statistical models and micro-level mechanistic models supported by behavioural evidence. We apply this methodology to two important problems in the social sciences, the demographic transition and the transition to democracy. The demographic transition is an important problem for economists and development scientists. Research has shown that economic growth reduces mortality and fertility rates, which reduction in turn results in faster economic growth. We build a non-linear dynamic model and show how this data-driven model extends existing mechanistic models. We also show policy applications for our models, especially in setting development targets for the Millennium Development Goals or the Sustainable Development Goals. The transition to democracy is an important problem for political scientists and sociologists. Research has shown that economic growth and overall human development transforms socio-cultural values and drives political institutions towards democracy. We model the interactions between the state variables and find that changes in institutional freedoms precedes changes in socio-cultural values. We show applications of our models in studying development traps. This thesis comprises the comprehensive summary and seven papers. Papers I and II describe two similar but complementary methodologies to build non-linear dynamic models from panel datasets. Papers III and IV deal with the demographic transition and policy applications. Papers V and VI describe the transition to democracy and applications. Paper VII describes an application to sustainable development.

This dissertation is composed of three essays, each examining a unique question relating to the role of intergovernmental transfers in fiscal federalism. Using a panel of the 48 contiguous U.S. states along with recent advances in nonstationary panel and spatial econometric methods this dissertation offers a number of important insights into the workings of intergovernmental transfers and therefore a clearer understanding of the interactions among the different layers of government. The third chapter examines the relationship between intergovernmental revenues from the federal government and intergovernmental expenditures to local governments. As observed by Wildasin (2010), there remains remarkable stability in the ratio of state-tolocal transfers to federal-to-state transfers despite the disparate programs being financed by each. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to examine the extent to which states serve as a conduit for funds from the federal government to local governments. In particular, the research question asks to what degree do federal transfers stimulate transfers to local governments. The fourth chapter explores the direction of causality between tax revenues and expenditures in answering the four hypotheses set forth in the literature: tax-spend, spend-tax, fiscal synchronization, and institutional separation. Furthermore, along with exploring the role served by intergovernmental transfers within the revenue-expenditure nexus, this essay also examines differences relating to the revenue-expenditure nexus between states with relatively higher debt levels and states with low debt levels, in order to better understand the fiscal causal links favorable for debt accumulation. The purpose of the fifth chapter is to ascertain the effect interstate fiscal interactions on the stimulative effect of grants on state level expenditures. The vast literature on fiscal competition suggests that states do not make decisions in isolation, therefore, spatial econometrics are used to capture spillovers and mimicking behavior across states. Following Boarnet and Glazer (2002), the effect of informational externalities arising from grants awarded to neighboring states are examined as well as the effect of spending spillovers from neighboring states. The results show that the flypaper anomaly (i.e. the stimulative effect of grants greater than a pure income effect) can be explained by interstate fiscal interactions.

<p>This licentiate thesis is about the provision of transportinfrastructure and the regional impacts of such provision.Three different techniques have been investigated that can beused for the assessment and forecasting of the effects ofinfrastructure: transport demand models and parametric andnon-parametric econometric estimation techniques. The maininterest is focused around the regional effects of theÖresund fixed link, which was opened on July 1, 2000.</p><p>The thesis is a collection of three papers plus a generalintroduction: papers 1 and 2 are concerned with the effect ofaccessibility in the transport networks on productivity on anindividual firm level. In paper 1, a translog cost function,extended with an accessibility variable, is estimated for 24business aggregates using panel data techniques and tests on adataset covering single workplaces in Scania over the years1990–98. The results are not conclusive, and cannot beused for forecasting of the after-situation. In paper 2, anon-parametric method, propensity score matching, is applied onthe same dataset to test if productivity differs in highaccessibiliby areas compared to those with low accessibility,while controlling for other differences between firms. Theresult here is the same as in the first paper: for no businessthere is a significant difference in productivity that can berelated to accessibility. In paper 3, a framework for theexternal validation of models of transport, landuse andenvironment is developed, with a focus on transport forecastmodels. The scenario assumptions and forecast results ofearlier models are presented and compared. A before-and-afterdatabase under construction for the Öresund region is alsopresented, to be used for validation of such models.</p><p><b>Key words:</b>infrastructure assessment, validation,Öresund, transport demand models, regionalconsequences.</p>