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Solar power costs 2011
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Dirk Bruere at NeoPax
Dec 16, 2011, 4:37:14 PM12/16/11
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http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/solar-power-much-cheaper-produce-most-analysts-realize-study-finds
"The public is being kept in the dark about the viability of solar
photovoltaic energy, according to a study conducted at Queen’s University.
“Many analysts project a higher cost for solar photovoltaic energy
because they don’t consider recent technological advancements and price
reductions,” says Joshua Pearce, Adjunct Professor, Department of
Mechanical and Materials Engineering. “Older models for determining
solar photovoltaic energy costs are too conservative.”
Dr. Pearce believes solar photovoltaic systems are near the “tipping
point” where they can produce energy for about the same price other
traditional sources of energy.
Analysts look at many variables to determine the cost of solar
photovoltaic systems for consumers, including installation and
maintenance costs, finance charges, the system’s life expectancy, and
the amount of electricity it generates.
Dr. Pearce says some studies don’t consider the 70 per cent reduction in
the cost of solar panels since 2009 . Furthermore, he says research now
shows the productivity of top-of-the-line solar panels only drops
between 0.1 and 0.2 percent annually, which is much less than the one
per cent used in many cost analyses.
Equipment costs are determined based on dollars per watt of electricity
produced. One 2010 study estimated the this cost at $7.61, while a 2003
study set the amount at $4.16. According to Dr. Pearce, the real cost in
2011 is under $1 per watt for solar panels purchased in bulk on the
global market, though he says system and installation costs vary widely.
Dr. Pearce has created a calculator program available for download
online that can be used to determine the true costs of solar energy."
http://www.green-its-research.ca/sustainability-calculators/solar-levelized-cost/
FFF
Dirk
"The public is being kept in the dark about the viability of solar
photovoltaic energy, according to a study conducted at Queen’s University.
“Many analysts project a higher cost for solar photovoltaic energy
because they don’t consider recent technological advancements and price
reductions,” says Joshua Pearce, Adjunct Professor, Department of
Mechanical and Materials Engineering. “Older models for determining
solar photovoltaic energy costs are too conservative.”
Dr. Pearce believes solar photovoltaic systems are near the “tipping
point” where they can produce energy for about the same price other
traditional sources of energy.
Analysts look at many variables to determine the cost of solar
photovoltaic systems for consumers, including installation and
maintenance costs, finance charges, the system’s life expectancy, and
the amount of electricity it generates.
Dr. Pearce says some studies don’t consider the 70 per cent reduction in
the cost of solar panels since 2009 . Furthermore, he says research now
shows the productivity of top-of-the-line solar panels only drops
between 0.1 and 0.2 percent annually, which is much less than the one
per cent used in many cost analyses.
Equipment costs are determined based on dollars per watt of electricity
produced. One 2010 study estimated the this cost at $7.61, while a 2003
study set the amount at $4.16. According to Dr. Pearce, the real cost in
2011 is under $1 per watt for solar panels purchased in bulk on the
global market, though he says system and installation costs vary widely.
Dr. Pearce has created a calculator program available for download
online that can be used to determine the true costs of solar energy."
http://www.green-its-research.ca/sustainability-calculators/solar-levelized-cost/
FFF
Dirk
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