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jpak

(41,741 posts)
Thu Apr 19, 2012, 09:41 AM Apr 2012

Here comes the sun: Solar cost competitve with fossil fuels in a decade?

http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2012/04/here-comes-the-sun-solar-cost-competitve-with-fossil-fuels-in-a-decade/

<snip>

And, ultimately, it’s the answer. Eventually the capacity of solar cells will increase, the cost to manufacture them will go down, and battery storage will improve such that sunlight collected on a sunny day can be used during a cloudy week.

But when?

Perhaps sooner than one might think. According to the giant consulting firm McKinsey & Company, solar capacity globally will soar as costs fall by an average of 10 percent a year through 2020. It should become cost competitive with fossil fuels in a decade, the report says.

“The pace of cost reductions has been staggering. When companies are building new energy infrastructure, solar will be a competitive option within this decade,” report author Krister Aanesen said in a news release. “It will be cost comparable to peaking plant within two to three years in some countries and comparable with base load plants by the end of the decade.”

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Here comes the sun: Solar cost competitve with fossil fuels in a decade? (Original Post) jpak Apr 2012 OP
It isn't just that the cost of a solar panel has come dow pscot Apr 2012 #1
Think where the technology might be if ashling Apr 2012 #2
I think it's further off than a decade: costs are too high. newrocker Apr 2012 #3

pscot

(21,023 posts)
1. It isn't just that the cost of a solar panel has come dow
Thu Apr 19, 2012, 11:33 AM
Apr 2012

The cost of system components have dropped while the variety of options has ballooned. Just browse Amazon. You'll be amazed.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R7K8MA?psc=1

ashling

(25,771 posts)
2. Think where the technology might be if
Thu Apr 19, 2012, 12:05 PM
Apr 2012

Ronny "Mourning in America" Raygun had not killed Jimmy Carter's efforts to attract attention and research into solar.

 

newrocker

(10 posts)
3. I think it's further off than a decade: costs are too high.
Sun Apr 22, 2012, 06:43 PM
Apr 2012

Except in deserts and areas near the equator where solar's weaknesses can be overcome: nighttime, clouds and winter (shorter days.)

Eventually a lot of the world will be solar-powered, IMO.

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