Formulation of Public Policies: Governance Reasons for the Low Efficiency in the Brasília Solar Program

Abstract

In this article, the authors investigated the governance involved in the formulation process of the Brasília Solar Program (PBS). The PBS engaged forty entities in a partnership for the generation and use of photovoltaic solar energy in Brasília. The methodology involved the use of document techniques and semi-structured interviews conducted between 2017 and 2018. The study revealed that the number of entities participating in the formulation of the PBS was lower than expected, which can be attributed to the centralized decision arrangements and to low autonomy. The actors involved demonstrated homogeneity in the interpretation of the objectives and in the justifications of the program. The PBS adopted unilateral monitoring mechanisms that hindered the participation of the actors and was not able to provide channels for the resolution of conflicts and for the application of penalties for free rides.