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SHRED

(28,136 posts)
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 06:17 PM Dec 2016

Solar has become the most cost effective electricity source

We have reached the turning point. Solar is the cheapest electricity source in the world now.

I realize the incoming Administration appointees are oil and coal invested special interests. My hope is they do the fiscal conservative thing and spend our tax dollars wisely helping solar rather than squander our taxes on poisonous petroleum based fuels for electricity production.


"A transformation is happening in global energy markets that’s worth noting as 2016 comes to an end: Solar power, for the first time, is becoming the cheapest form of new electricity.

This has happened in isolated projects in the past: an especially competitive auction in the Middle East, for example, resulting in record-cheap solar costs. But now unsubsidized solar is beginning to outcompete coal and natural gas on a larger scale, and notably, new solar projects in emerging markets are costing less to build than wind projects, according to fresh data from Bloomberg New Energy Finance."


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-15/world-energy-hits-a-turning-point-solar-that-s-cheaper-than-wind
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Solar has become the most cost effective electricity source (Original Post) SHRED Dec 2016 OP
It probably is if you can afford the initial investment. yeoman6987 Dec 2016 #1
Neighbor's six percent yield will rise with time Cicada Dec 2016 #2
Interesting. Didn't think of that. yeoman6987 Dec 2016 #4
I heard they have a program in Germany where the utility companies pay for the cost of solar or doc03 Dec 2016 #3
The electricity grid in Germany is 100% public owned SHRED Dec 2016 #5
For new builds in less developed countries FarCenter Dec 2016 #6
 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
1. It probably is if you can afford the initial investment.
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 07:14 PM
Dec 2016

I can't believe how expensive it is. I wanted them for my roof in Florida. My neighbor paid 30K. Got back 18K with taxes but still paid 12K. The electric bill is around 30 to my 100. I'd still like to though when they become affordable.

Cicada

(4,533 posts)
2. Neighbor's six percent yield will rise with time
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 07:30 PM
Dec 2016

His $70 monthly savings will become $71 next year, then $73 etc.

And can't he get a second mortgage for the a net cost of $50 per month, so it's basically cost free?

doc03

(35,148 posts)
3. I heard they have a program in Germany where the utility companies pay for the cost of solar or
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 08:00 PM
Dec 2016

wind power. Then they pay you for any excess power you generate. I think I heard Thom Hartmann talk about it.
Of course nothing like that ever works here just like universal health care.

 

SHRED

(28,136 posts)
5. The electricity grid in Germany is 100% public owned
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 09:38 PM
Dec 2016

They can offer so much more that way.
The government installs the panels and buys back the electricity which pays for the install. No sweat to the home owner.

 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
6. For new builds in less developed countries
Sat Dec 17, 2016, 09:45 PM
Dec 2016
The overall shift to clean energy can be more expensive in wealthier nations, where electricity demand is flat or falling and new solar must compete with existing billion-dollar coal and gas plants. But in countries that are adding new electricity capacity as quickly as possible, “renewable energy will beat any other technology in most of the world without subsidies,” said Liebreich.


The shift to LED lighting and other energy efficiencies are having a major impact on demand in developed countries.
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