Perspective

Cost of utility-scale solar dropped 17% year on year in the US for Q3 2015, EnergyTrend

Latest analysis indicate that prices for photovoltaic (PV) systems are on a steady decline. In the U.S., the average installed cost of utility-scale PV systems was US$1.38/W in Q3 of 2015 compared to US$1.66/W in Q3 of 2014, representing a 17% year-on-year drop. As PV-generated electricity increasingly reaches grid parity around the world, the market also continues to see a growing number of utility-scale projects. Based on EnergyTrend’s recent survey of emerging markets, the respective installed capacities of India, Chile and the Philippines between the start of 2015 and now … are estimated at 827MW, 750MW and 134MW respectively. These […]

By Diana A. N. January 19, 20160

First Solar install. Credit: First Solar.

Latest analysis indicate that prices for photovoltaic (PV) systems are on a steady decline.

In the U.S., the average installed cost of utility-scale PV systems was US$1.38/W in Q3 of 2015 compared to US$1.66/W in Q3 of 2014, representing a 17% year-on-year drop.

As PV-generated electricity increasingly reaches grid parity around the world, the market also continues to see a growing number of utility-scale projects.

Based on EnergyTrend’s recent survey of emerging markets, the respective installed capacities of India, Chile and the Philippines between the start of 2015 and now … are estimated at 827MW, 750MW and 134MW respectively.

These countries enjoyed substantial installation growth during the past year.

EnergyTrend expects upward revisions of these figures later on as more data for 2015 becomes available.

Diana A. N.

Diana writes about eco-trends, green living, and sustainable technologies that help us live healthy/active lifestyles. She is also a freelance fashion blogger, and an "Instagram Influencer" (@effortlesslady) in Ottawa, ON — Canada.