How solar swept the U.S. power grid

[jpak]

https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/How-solar-swept-the-U-S-power-grid-13143484.php

A new report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration explains how a dramatic fall in the cost of solar panels has allowed that technology to sweep the U.S. power grid.

The second largest source of new power generation in 2016, solar energy costs came down by close to a third between 2013 and 2016, at the same time construction costs for natural gas plants rose slightly, according to the EIA.

With construction costs of $2,436 per kilowatt hour, solar has turned into a relative bargain for developers, who can not only claim a federal tax benefit but also avoid the long-term and volatile fuel costs associated with coal and gas plants. Gas plant construction averaged $895 per kWh.

"Crystalline silicon has become the most widely used photovoltaic technology as the technology has matured and construction cost have dropped. Its installed costs declined $400-$500/kW per year to $1,000/kW lower than that of thin film as a result of demand and economies of scale," the report reads.

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[progree]

1. "With construction costs of $2,436 per kilowatt hour"

Really? I'm paying about 11 cents / kwh residential retail. Sigh. Well, at least we won't have to worry about deflation.

[jpak]

3. That's installed capacity per kW - not kWh. The author flubbed this

New solar is coming in 3-5 cents per kWh

FYI

[progree]

4. Oh I know. I worked in the planning and operations departments of an electric utility

for 15 years as an engineer. Thanks

[FBaggins]

2. Solar swept the US power grid?

Is it all the way up to 2% of generation yet? Or still rounding to 1%?

I guess moving from the 5th largest renewable generation source to 4th a few years back was laudable... but still a stretch to say "sweeping the power grid".