04-16-2014, 03:13 AM
As shown in the chart, the cost of solar PV has come from -- quite literally -- off the charts less than a decade ago to a point where Bernstein says solar PV is now cheaper than oil and Asian LNG (liquefied natural gas). It does its calculations on an mmbtu basis (mmbtu is the standard unit of measure for liquid fuels, often referred to as 1 million British thermal units).
Solar’s Dramatic Price Plunge Could Trigger Energy Price Deflation : Greentech Media
When the wind blows and the sun shines in Germany, electricity prices around the country plummet. Natural gas peaker plants are not needed, as the peaks are erased and they cannot compete with renewables. But the grid still needs a whole lot of balancing resources during times that renewables dominate. That makes demand response, still a very nascent resource in Germany, even more important.
German Demand Response: Almost Ready for Prime Time : Greentech Media