Solar photovoltaic power generation investment cost

Despite increases in investment costs due to rising commodity prices, utility-scale solar PV is the least costly option for new electricity generation in a significant majority of countries worldwide.

In 2023, the global weighted average levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from newly commissioned utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore wind, offshore wind and hydropower fell. Between 2022 and 2023, utility-scale solar PV projects showed the most significant decrease (by 12%).

In 2022, the global weighted average levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from newly commissioned utility-scale solar photovoltaics (PV), onshore wind, concentrating solar power (CSP), bioenergy and geothermal energy all fell, despite rising materials and equipment costs.

Globally, new renewable capacity added in 2021 could reduce electricity generation costs in 2022 by at least USD 55 billion. Between January and May 2022 in Europe, solar and wind generation, alone, avoided fossil fuel imports of at least USD 50 billion.

To accelerate the deployment of solar power, SETO has announced a goal to reduce the benchmark levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) generated by utility-scale photovoltaics (UPV) to 2¢/kWh by 2030. 3 In parallel, SETO is targeting a 2030 benchmark LCOE of 4¢/kWh for commercial PV, 4 5¢/kWh for residential PV, 5 and 5¢/kWh for concentrating .

Solar photovoltaic power generation investment cost [PDF] Chat with us

6 FAQs about [Solar photovoltaic power generation investment cost]

Are solar PV projects reducing the cost of electricity in 2022?

Between 2022 and 2023, utility-scale solar PV projects showed the most significant decrease (by 12%). For newly commissioned onshore wind projects, the global weighted average LCOE fell by 3% year-on-year; whilst for offshore wind, the cost of electricity of new projects decreased by 7% compared to 2022.

Is solar PV a good investment in 2022?

Solar PV comprised almost 45% of total global electricity generation investment in 2022, triple the spending on all fossil fuel technologies collectively. Investment in PV is expected to grow further in the coming years thanks to ambitious government targets, policy support and increasing competitiveness.

Are solar PVs cheaper than fossil fuels?

Over the past 40 years, solar photovoltaic (PV) prices have fallen by over two orders of magnitude, and during the period 2010 to 2021, the global weighted-average levelized cost of energy of newly commissioned utility-scale solar PVs fell by 88% (ref. 5), making solar PVs cheaper than fossil fuel power in some parts of the world.

Are solar PV prices going down?

Nonetheless, rapid price declines in solar PV have not been without controversy. China, for example, has played an outsized role in scaling up the mass production of solar PV cells and modules, comprising 78% of global production in 2021 9, 10 (Fig. 1).

Does a globalized solar photovoltaic module supply chain save money?

Modelling shows that a globalized solar photovoltaic module supply chain has resulted in photovoltaic installation cost savings of billions of dollars.

Is a domestic manufacturing base in solar PV a good investment?

A domestic manufacturing base in solar PV may provide other benefits besides direct employment worthy of future study. Our model does not incorporate any spillover benefits to adjacent industries, such as semiconductors and electronics.

Solar photovoltaic power generation investment cost