Solar panel costs 'set to fall' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Roger Harrabin
Environment analyst, BBC News

The cost of installing and owning solar panels will fall even faster than expected according to new research.

Tests show that 90% of existing solar panels last for 30 years, instead of the predicted 20 years.

According to the independent EU Energy Institute, this brings down the lifetime cost.
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At a conference, the institute forecast that solar panels would be cost-competitive with energy from the grid for half the homes in Europe by 2020 - without a subsidy.
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It varies from country to country depending on electricity prices, but the institute estimates that Italy - which has a combination of sunny weather and relatively high electricity prices - should reach grid parity next year. Half of Europe should be enjoying grid parity by 2020, it estimates.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8386460.stm

[yurbud]

1. that's good news--thanks for posting!

[rollingrock]

2. Super high production and start up costs

have always been the achilles heel of solar technology, which traditionally made the installation of solar panels cost prohibitive for large scale applications. so this seems to be good news for the future of solar.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. See also

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=218324&mesg_id=218324

In short, it’s not that the up-front cost of the panels is falling 50%.

The longer lifespan means less cost/year calculated over the life of the panels.

[rollingrock]

8. Conventional power plant construction receives huge government subsidies

solar would be a lot more cost competitive if it received as much subsidies as coal, nuclear and natural gas does. don't forget to factor in the long-term costs of the fuel source, which are huge for coal, natural gas and nuclear, of which the conventional plants require a daily supply of. OTOH, the cost of sunlight is free.

[TheWraith]

4. So we've been hearing for decades. nt

[kristopher]

5. Are you saying this is false?

[PHIMG]

7. No we have not.

How much is big coal paying you? LOL.

[PHIMG]

6. We need price floors for carbon-based energy now.

Whether that means a carbon tax or outright price controls, then just do it.

[Noseyaboutpollution]

9. I'm ready

I'm ready for some reasonably prices panels. Time to get off the grid.