The Rise of Solar PV: A Cheap Energy Future?

This article explores the rapid growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation and its future potential. While currently accounting for only around 4% of total US electricity generation, the cost of solar PV has fallen nearly ten thousandfold in the last 70 years and is projected to fall further. However, the intermittency of solar power is a major challenge, as it cannot generate electricity on demand. The article uses simulations to explore strategies for addressing intermittency by increasing solar panel capacity and energy storage systems. It concludes that as solar and storage costs continue to decline, "overbuilding" to meet a larger fraction of electricity demand will become economically feasible. Ultimately, solar's low and declining costs make it a competitive energy option, but its intermittency remains a challenge to overcome.