Solar Panels from India now Dirt Cheap, Solar Revolution?
Solar panels aren’t cheap, and they never have been. As far as methods of power generation go, they've long been one of the most expensive on a per-watt basis.
Not only that, they need fairly precise conditions to work. Their performance drops dramatically if they’re not in a particular temperature range, and they need plenty of light to make power.
That said, they remain the most likely long term power source. Which is why the crash in the price of Indian solar power is so exciting.
This may have something to do with a massive cut in the price of solar panels. Prices for panels fell by 50% in 2011, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. That means that they cost a quarter what they did back in 2008.
The crash is likely due to demand. As more panels are demanded, manufacturers can pour more into improving the production. As producers improve the production, the panels cost less to make. And when the panels cost less to make, they can sell them for less, which further drives up demand.
It could be that solar panels have finally hit their escape velocity, getting enough demand to drive the price low enough to be competitive with other energy technologies.
As it is right now, energy from solar panels still costs twice as much as energy from coal. But considering that the price difference was much, much worse only a few years ago, this bodes well for solar power in the future.
But panels will likely elude many of the small Indian villages that would most benefit from them. Solar power is all about upfront investment, and most villages aren’t rich. So solar power might remain a dream of the rich for a while longer. But at least it is becoming a feasible dream.
NewScientist Photo by : Mark Florence
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