Originally posted at Portland Business Journal.
Read the original post here.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 2:48 PM PDT

Solar power becoming more cost effective
Portland Business Journal

The U.S. could generate 10 percent of its electricity through solar sources by 2025, suggests a new study released by Clean Edge and Co-op America

"As capital and fuel costs have doubled or tripled for coal, natural gas, and nuclear power over the past few years, solar power costs are coming down," said Alisa Gravitz, executive director of Washington, D.C.-based Co-op America. "For the first time in history, cost-competitive solar power is now within the planning horizon of every utility in the nation."

The study, based on interviews with more than 30 solar, utility, financial, and policy experts, gives a comprehensive roadmap for utilities, solar companies, and regulators to reach 10 percent of electricity from solar sources by 2025 --- a $26 billion to $33 billion-per-year investment.

For the first time, solar power is beginning to reach cost parity with conventional energy sources, says the study. As solar prices decline and the capital and fuel costs for coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants rise, the U.S. will reach a crossover point by around 2015.

"One of the big takeaways from this report is that, in many ways, the future of solar is in the hands of utilities," said Ron Pernick, co-founder of Portland-based Clean Edge. "Reaching 10 percent of our electricity from solar sources by 2025 will require the active participation of utilities along with the support and participation of regulators and solar technology companies."

Originally posted at Portland Business Journal.
Read the original post here.