Solar Power Cheaper Than Coal Foreseen By German Solar CEO

[jpak]

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/07/10/solar-power-cheaper-than-coal-foreseen-by-german-solar-mogul/

In a new interview with Deutsche Welle, the CEO of a Germany-based global solar developer made a good case for the potential for solar power to become cheaper than coal sooner rather than later.

That would be Bernhard Beck, CEO of BELECTRIC. In the interview Beck had some interesting things to say about the direction of the global solar market and the potential for growth in large-scale solar power generating plants, and if anything, we think his forecast could come true even sooner than he thinks.

BELECTRIC specializes in utility-scale solar power plants as well as rooftop solar, and the former area is where the focus of the Deutsche Welle interview takes place.
According to Beck, large scale solar power in Germany is already “approaching the costs” of conventional power, at 10 euro cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Beck was reluctant to lay out a specific timetable, but he did predict that with additional technological improvements, the cost of solar power in Germany (and by extension, other relatively sun-poor countries), will ultimately fall below the cost of conventional energy.

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[dimbear]

1. That is fabulous news. Can I say it's a ray of sunshine?

I knew solar prices were coming down, but this is great.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Deutsche sees “sustainable” global solar market in 2014

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/deutsche-sees-sustainable-global-solar-market-in-2014-2014

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Deutsche sees “sustainable” global solar market in 2014[/font]

By Giles Parkinson on 25 February 2013

[font size=3]Analysts at Deutsche Bank have predicted that the global solar PV sector will transition from a subsidised market to a sustainable market within a year, citing the arrival of “grid parity” in a number of key markets, unexpectedly strong demand and rebounding margins.

The Deutsche Bank team said key markets such as India, China and the US are experiencing strong demand and solar projects are now being developed with minimal or no incentives.

…

“Grid parity has been reached in India even despite the high cost of capital of around 10-12 per cent,” Deutsche Bank notes, and also despite a slight rise in module prices of 3c-5c/kW in recent months(good for manufacturers).

Italy is another country that appears to be at grid parity, where several developers are under advanced discussions to develop unsubsidized projects in Southern Italy. Deutsche Bank says that for small commercial enterprises that can achieve 50 per cent or more self consumption, solar is competitive with grid electricity in most parts of Italy, and commercial businesses in Germany that have the load profile to achieve up to 90 per cent self consumption are also finding solar as an attractive source of power generation.

…[/font][/font]

[MichaelKelley]

3. Energy and environment

Yes! they are already predefined.