Abstract This aim of the paper is to investigate on the strength of EU renewable energy policies and of internal barriers to energy investments. Using a novel approach based on spatial econometric methods, the paper contributes to the debate on the effectiveness of policies supporting renewable energy investments in the EU member states. The empirical analysis is based on estimates from spatial econometric models that combines independent variables with a weighting scheme of trade linkages between member states. It allows to show how trade relationships can play a role in shaping green energy policies. In fact, technological skills are transferred together with goods and services, trade flows represent an exogenous factor correlated with green investments.