How Cheap Is Solar Power?

Solar-thermal power costs less than crystalline silicon. The Prometheus Institute and Greentech Media expect the cost of crystalline-silicon panels to fall below that of solar-thermal next year.

"The degree to which the market takes thin-film or crystalline modules will be determined by the degree to which the cost structures can be reduced," Bradford said.

Thin-film solar is cheaper than solar-thermal and concentrating-photovoltaic power in some cases, Englander said.

In places with 5 kilowatt-hours of sunshine per square meter per day, such as in Chicago or New York City, cadmium-telluride firms – like those produced by First Solar, the No. 1 thin-film manufacturer – have the lowest levelized cost of electricity, which includes all costs, followed by crystalline panels. Solar-thermal and concentrating-photovoltaic power are more expensive, all costs considered.

In regions with more sunlight – say 8 kilowatt-hours per square meters per day, like in Phoenix – cadmium-telluride also is the lowest cost.

But solar-thermal power costs less than crystalline silicon. The Prometheus Institute and Greentech Media expect the cost of crystalline-silicon panels to fall below that of solar-thermal next year.

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