Since its first application in space missions in 1958, solar photovoltaics technology has come a long way. In Germany, a breakthrough in costs was observed over the last years, following a decade of massive investment in research and deployment. New solar photovoltaic power plants in Germany today cost almost 80% less than those built several years ago.
While some industry experts today proclaim the arrival of a “solar age” that will completely change the way how power systems look like in all corners of the world, other experts expect an end in the decline of prices and thus see an end to the “solar bubble.” This uncertainty poses a challenge for policy makers, as an evaluation of policy choices often requires analysis of future scenarios, including scenarios for the distant future.
We have therefore asked Fraunhofer ISE to develop scenarios for the future cost development of electricity produced by solar photovoltaics – both under conservative and optimistic assumptions. The results are very interesting indeed – we hope you enjoy reading them.
