10/2020: Solar is now ‘Cheapest Electricity in History’, confirms IEA

[abu afak]

Cheapest source of Fossil Fuel Generation is Double the Cost of Utility-scale Solar​

Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.
June 11, 2024

Lazard released its annual report analyzing levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), a critical measure of cost-efficiency of generation sources across technology types. The report found that onshore wind and utility-scale solar have the lowest LCOE by a large margin.

LCOE measures lifetime costs divided by energy production and calculates the present value of the total cost of building and operating a power plant over an assumed lifetime.

“Despite high end LCOE declines for selected renewable energy technologies, the low ends of our LCOE have increased for the first time ever, driven by the persistence of certain cost pressures (e.g., high interest rates, etc.),” said Lazard. “These two phenomena result in tighter LCOE ranges (offsetting the significant range expansion observed last year) and relatively stable LCOE averages year-over-year.”

Onshore wind ranked as the lowest source of new-build electricity generation, ranging from $27 to $73 per MWh. Utility-scale solar was a close second, ranging $29 to $92 per MWh.

Utility-scale solar has had the most aggressive cost reduction curve of all technologies, falling about 83% since 2009, when new build solar generation had an LCOE of over $350 per MWh.
[.......]

Cheapest source of fossil fuel generation is double the cost of utility-scale solar

Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.

pv-magazine-usa.com

`

 

[abu afak]

How cheap solar power will change the world​

Our podcast on science and technology. Why the exponential growth of solar power will transform everything​

Jun 26th 2024 - The Economist

Solar power is the world’s fastest-growing source of energy. It currently provides 6% of the world’s electricity but, by the mid-2030s, solar cells will probably be the planet’s single biggest source of electricity. A decade later they may be the world’s largest source of energy.

Access to this cheap, abundant power will make nearly everything else cheaper, too.
How did solar energy get to this point and what will its rise mean for the future of the world? Plus, where does solar power technology go next—could unlimited energy from the Sun be collected from space?
[......

How cheap solar power will change the world​

Our podcast on science and technology. Why the exponential growth of solar power will transform everything
www.economist.com
`

Last edited: Today at 8:46 PM

The Cheapest source of Fossil Fuel generation​

is now Double the Cost of Utility-Scale Solar​

 

[ding]

Solar power is the world’s fastest-growing source of energy. It currently provides 6% of the world’s electricity but, by the mid-2030s, solar cells will probably be the planet’s single biggest source of electricity. A decade later they may be the world’s largest source of energy.

Want to bet?

 

[abu afak]

Why don't you explain why solar is now the cheapest source of electricity in the world?

 

[justoffal]

No it isn't Not if you count in the construction and purchase costs

 

[jc456]

No it isn't Not if you count in the construction and purchase costs

Justoffal, that dude doesn't have a brain cell in his whole body, let alone his own head.

 

[justoffal]

Justoffal, that dude doesn't have a brain cell in his whole body, let alone his own head.

At least the lonely Stegosaurus had two brains... They were tiny brains but they were there.

 

[Ringo]

A large solar-fuel tower power plant, Ivanpah, located in the state of California, will close just 11 years after being commissioned.

The plant has failed to compete with cheaper sources of green energy, has not generated the amount of electricity it was intended to, and has caused environmental damage. It is also four times more expensive to maintain than gas-fired power plants.

“Aiwonpa uses solar-thermal technology: some 350,000 computer-controlled mirrors reflect sunlight onto boilers atop 140-meter-high towers. The sun's energy is used to heat water in the boilers' tubes and produce steam that drives turbines that generate electricity.

The Sierra Club, a conservation organization, said the Ivanpah has caused the deaths of thousands of birds and turtles, and construction of the facility has destroyed habitat for numerous rare plant species in the desert.

The local utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, has already agreed with the owners of Ivanpah to terminate their power contracts. This will result in the closure of two of the power plant's three units beginning in 2026.

 

[abu afak]

The plant has failed to compete with cheaper sources of green energy, has not generated the amount of electricity it was intended to, and has caused environmental damage. It is also four times more expensive to maintain than gas-fired power plants.

But of course (as I've posted score of times) that's because the cost of newer solar is a lot cheaper.
From 2010 to 2020 the price (due to efficiency) of panels fell dramatically. And the closing plant mentioned was an different type even then.

"...“The cost of the project compared to other renewable technologies looked reasonable,” said Smeloff. “That, of course, has Changed Dramatically over the last 15 years or so.”​

Because over that period, the cost of photovoltaic solar power, or solar panels, has fallen about 70%. Now it is significantly cheaper than the energy that Ivanpah generates. The main buyer of the plant’s power — California utility PG&E — released a statement saying it’s pulling out to save its customers money. Ivanpah’s set to close early next year..."​

California solar plant is riding into the sunset, thanks to cheaper PV panels

Concentrated solar power was one of several technologies that showed promise. Ivanpah's main buyer is pulling out to save customers money.

www.marketplace.org

​

​

and by 2024 the cost of well positioned Solar is now HALF of that of a Fossil Fuel plant

Cheapest source of Fossil Fuel Generation is Double the Cost of Utility-scale Solar​

Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.
June 11, 2024

Lazard released its annual report analyzing levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), a critical measure of cost-efficiency of generation sources across technology types. The report found that onshore wind and utility-scale solar have the lowest LCOE by a large margin.

LCOE measures lifetime costs divided by energy production and calculates the present value of the total cost of building and operating a power plant over an assumed lifetime.

“Despite high end LCOE declines for selected renewable energy technologies, the low ends of our LCOE have increased for the first time ever, driven by the persistence of certain cost pressures (e.g., high interest rates, etc.),” said Lazard. “These two phenomena result in tighter LCOE ranges (offsetting the significant range expansion observed last year) and relatively stable LCOE averages year-over-year.”

Onshore wind ranked as the lowest source of new-build electricity generation, ranging from $27 to $73 per MWh. Utility-scale solar was a close second, ranging $29 to $92 per MWh.

Utility-scale solar has had the most aggressive cost reduction curve of all technologies, falling about 83% since 2009, when new build solar generation had an LCOE of over $350 per MWh.
[.......]

Cheapest source of fossil fuel generation is double the cost of utility-scale solar​

Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.


`

 

[abu afak]

But of course (as I've posted score of times) that's because the cost of newer solar is a lot cheaper.
From 2010 to 2020 the price (due to efficiency) of panels fell dramatically. And the closing plant mentioned was an different type even then.

"...“The cost of the project compared to other renewable technologies looked reasonable,” said Smeloff. “That, of course, has Changed Dramatically over the last 15 years or so.”​

Because over that period, the cost of photovoltaic solar power, or solar panels, has fallen about 70%. Now it is significantly cheaper than the energy that Ivanpah generates. The main buyer of the plant’s power — California utility PG&E — released a statement saying it’s pulling out to save its customers money. Ivanpah’s set to close early next year..."​

California solar plant is riding into the sunset, thanks to cheaper PV panels

Concentrated solar power was one of several technologies that showed promise. Ivanpah's main buyer is pulling out to save customers money.

www.marketplace.org

​

​

and by 2024 the cost of well positioned Solar is now HALF of that of a Fossil Fuel plant

Cheapest source of Fossil Fuel Generation is Double the Cost of Utility-scale Solar​

Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.
June 11, 2024

Lazard released its annual report analyzing levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), a critical measure of cost-efficiency of generation sources across technology types. The report found that onshore wind and utility-scale solar have the lowest LCOE by a large margin.

LCOE measures lifetime costs divided by energy production and calculates the present value of the total cost of building and operating a power plant over an assumed lifetime.

“Despite high end LCOE declines for selected renewable energy technologies, the low ends of our LCOE have increased for the first time ever, driven by the persistence of certain cost pressures (e.g., high interest rates, etc.),” said Lazard. “These two phenomena result in tighter LCOE ranges (offsetting the significant range expansion observed last year) and relatively stable LCOE averages year-over-year.”

Onshore wind ranked as the lowest source of new-build electricity generation, ranging from $27 to $73 per MWh. Utility-scale solar was a close second, ranging $29 to $92 per MWh.

Utility-scale solar has had the most aggressive cost reduction curve of all technologies, falling about 83% since 2009, when new build solar generation had an LCOE of over $350 per MWh.
[.......]

Cheapest source of fossil fuel generation is double the cost of utility-scale solar​

Solar levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) has fallen to $29 to $92 per MWh, said a report from Lazard.


`

Nope.... Show the numbers.
Cost of equipment, construction, connection, The fact that you need three times the megawatt capacity of renewable to match the megawatt capacity of conventional....

Show the numbers ...

You won't because you can't...

It's not cheaper. Stop lying to people.
Now if you want to say you think it's a better source of power and a cleaner source Go right ahead make that claim.
Stop trying to tell people it doesn't cost as much because that's a lie.

 

[justoffal]

This is from Massachusetts with a power still generated 70% by gas turbine.

The average real-time electricity price in ISO New England for April 12, 2025, was $48.69 per megawatt-hour (MWh) at the Hub, according to the EIA New England Dashboard. Other zones had prices ranging from $47.80 to $50.51 per MWh.

This price is artificially high because of the penalties placed on gas purchases.
Remove the penalties and the cost per megawatt hour will come down underneath $30. Not only is it cheap it's constant.

 

[abu afak]

If solar power is 1,000 W at the equator ... then everyplace else would be 1,000 W times the cosine of latitude ... that cosine at 45º is 0.707 ... or 707 W halfway between equator and pole ... your math is wrong ...

If rooftop solar serves 1/3 of Los Angeles' power needs ... then it's worth installing rooftop solar there ... but if you live on top of a coal seam ... then it's worth burning coal ... is Chicago windy? ... maybe they should use wind turbines in all those corn fields ...

If a golf cart doesn't fit your lifestyle ... then don't buy an EV ... only YOU can answer these questions, and only for yourself ... don't tell me "renewables don't work" in the Pacific Northwest (where it rains every day all day long) ... because it rains every day all day long, we have plenty of hydro ...

YOU are a FRAUD who just seeks to dump as many Physics Terms you can into your pointless chatter.

You Cannot and have Not laid out your position on AGW (or Not) lest you lose your Status/Wanted Persona of a RWer.

What is your position on AGW you FRAUD?
Tell all the Dumbbells you post with.

`

 

[ding]

YOU are a FRAUD who just seeks to dump as many Physics Terms you can into your pointless chatter.

You Cannot and have Not laid out your position on AGW (or Not) lest you lose your Status/Wanted Persona of a RWer.

What is your position on AGW you FRAUD?
Tell all the Dumbbells you post with.

`

What would it take in terms of capacity and battery storage for solar and wind to replace electrical generation from fossil fuels?

 

[abu afak]

What would it take in terms of capacity and battery storage for solar and wind to replace electrical generation from fossil fuels?

A decade ago I would have set 'a lot,' but now Wind and Solar are cheaper due to Dramatic gains in technical efdiciency/cost. (and of course cleaner)
So just let it happen and support the result.

I have acknowledged we may neeed to have app 30-40% NG back-up unless Further strides are made.
But that seems inevitable.

`

 

[MarathonMike]

A decade ago I would have set 'a lot,' but now Wind and Solar are cheaper due to Dramatic gains in technical efdiciency/cost. (and of course cleaner)
So just let it happen and support the result.

I have acknowledged we may neeed to have app 30-40% NG back-up unless Further strides are made.
But that seems inevitable.

`

FYI this is how Arizona gets in power, seems like a good mix of nuclear, fossil fuels, and a SMALL amount of solar/wind:

In 2023, Arizona's total in-state electricity was generated mainly from 6 sources: natural gas (46%), nuclear power (27%), coal (10%), solar energy (10%), hydroelectric power (5%), and wind (1%).

 

[ding]

A decade ago I would have set 'a lot,' but now Wind and Solar are cheaper due to Dramatic gains in technical efdiciency/cost. (and of course cleaner)
So just let it happen and support the result.

I have acknowledged we may neeed to have app 30-40% NG back-up unless Further strides are made.
But that seems inevitable.

`

So no battery back up?

 

[abu afak]

So no battery back up?

I've touched just about every base in climate and renewables with an OP.

Thread 'Solar and Battery Storage to make up 81% of New U.S. Electric-Generating Capacity in 2024'

Feb 16, 2024

People say "no future," "not economical."
But in fact Solar is the cheapest form of power generation in the right scenarios and had a stunning year in 2023,
and appears it will again in 2024.


FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Solar and battery storage to make up 81% of New U.S. electric-generating capacity in 2024
U.S. planned utility-scale electric-generating capacity additions.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, December 2023


Developers and power plant owners plan to add 62.8...

• abu afak
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Environment

• 
• 
• 

`

 

[justoffal]

I've touched just about every base in climate and renewables with an OP.
.

Thread 'Solar and Battery Storage to make up 81% of New U.S. Electric-Generating Capacity in 2024'

Feb 16, 2024

People say "no future," "not economical."
But in fact Solar is the cheapest form of power generation in the right scenarios and had a stunning year in 2023,
and appears it will again in 2024.


FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Solar and battery storage to make up 81% of New U.S. electric-generating capacity in 2024
U.S. planned utility-scale electric-generating capacity additions.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, December 2023


Developers and power plant owners plan to add 62.8...

• abu afak
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Environment

• 
• 
• 

I've touched just about every base in climate and renewables.

`

So you got 14 gigs? What you going to do with that?
Light up a few Christmas trees,?

 

[otto105]

What would it take in terms of capacity and battery storage for solar and wind to replace electrical generation from fossil fuels?

What would it take for you to stop being a climate toddler?

 

[ding]

I've touched just about every base in climate and renewables with an OP.

Thread 'Solar and Battery Storage to make up 81% of New U.S. Electric-Generating Capacity in 2024'

Feb 16, 2024

People say "no future," "not economical."
But in fact Solar is the cheapest form of power generation in the right scenarios and had a stunning year in 2023,
and appears it will again in 2024.


FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Solar and battery storage to make up 81% of New U.S. electric-generating capacity in 2024
U.S. planned utility-scale electric-generating capacity additions.

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, December 2023


Developers and power plant owners plan to add 62.8...

• abu afak
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Environment

• 
• 
• 

`

Seems to me you are saying no battery backup without actually saying it. I doubt very seriously if much if any battery backup has been installed because it doesn't make economic sense for those projects.