In 2023, an estimated 96% of newly installed, utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind capacity had lower generation costs than new coal and natural gas plants. In addition, three-quarters of new wind and solar PV plants offered cheaper power than existing fossil fuel facilities.
What happened to solar power in 2023?
In 2023, the global weighted average levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from newly commissioned utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore wind, offshore wind and hydropower fell. Between 2022 and 2023, utility-scale solar PV projects showed the most significant decrease (by 12%).
An additional 82,250 workers spent less than half their time on solar-related work. The United States installed 5.7 GWac (6.1 GWdc) of PV in Q1 2023—and the largest Q1 on record; a significant portion was in Texas, Florida, and California. 34% of U.S. utility-scale PV and ~21% of all U.S. PV systems built in 2022 used CdTe panels.
Are solar PV projects reducing the cost of electricity in 2022?
Between 2022 and 2023, utility-scale solar PV projects showed the most significant decrease (by 12%). For newly commissioned onshore wind projects, the global weighted average LCOE fell by 3% year-on-year; whilst for offshore wind, the cost of electricity of new projects decreased by 7% compared to 2022.
For newly-commissioned, utility-scale solar PV projects, the global weighted average LCOE decreased by 12% between 2022 and 2023, to USD 0.044/kWh. This was driven by a 17% decline in the global weighted average total installed cost for this technology, from USD 908/kW in 2022 to USD 758/kW for the projects commissioned in 2023.
How do government subsidies affect the PV industry?
However, lucrative government subsidies often lead to PV enterprises not paying attention to technological innovation and blind production. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of government subsidies, enhance the overall performance of the PV supply chain, and achieve the healthy and long-term development of the PV industry.
How did solar supply change in Q1 2023?
Installers reported ample PV and storage equipment supply and decreasing equipment costs. In Q1 2023, margins for most PV companies increased as demand increased, aided by a significant drop in polysilicon prices. solar supply chain, including 44 separate new manufacturing plants and 6 expansions.