03-09-2015, 02:41 AM
In the US, for instance, we believe solar is currently competitive in more than 14 states without any additional state subsidies. Solar LCOE in these states ranges between 10-15c/kWh and compares to retail electricity price of 12-38c/kWh. By 2016, using our cost estimates, nearly 47 states would be at grid parity in the US, in our view. Similarly in Japan, solar LCOE of ~$0.14/kWh compares to retail electricity price of ~$0.26/kWh. In India, the ratio of coal based electricity to solar electricity was 7:1 roughly 4 years ago. That ratio is now less than 2:1 and likely approaching 1:1 this year.
Solar Electricity Is Competitive Globally: Deutsche - Asia Stocks to Watch - Barrons.com
Solar stocks have been on a tear of late. The news is not just earnings. It is not just low energy prices not being as bad as some investors may have feared. The other driving force is the so-called YieldCo ambitions of the solar companies. 24/7 Wall St. wanted to take a look at the powerful moves that have been seen in the sector.
Earnings and Yieldco News Driving Solar Stocks Higher and Higher - 24/7 Wall St.
The cost of producing solar power in central and southern Europe will have dropped to between €0.04 and €0.06 per kilowatt hour by 2025, the study found. The report, commissioned by NGO Agora Energiewende, revealed that cost would plummet to between two to four cents by 2050. The research only used “conservative assumptions” about possible future technological breakthroughs in solar, and did not factor in innovations that could make electricity cheaper either. Currently, large solar plants in Germany currently deliver power for less than nine cents. According to the study, electricity from new coal and gas-fired plants costs between five and ten cents per kilowatt hour. Nuclear plants charge 11 cents, the report, published today (24 February), said.
Solar could be cheaper than coal and gas by 2025, study says | EurActiv