Technology advances needed for photovoltaics to achieve widespread grid price parity. (20th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones‐Albertus, Rebecca; Feldman, David; Fu, Ran; Horowitz, Kelsey; Woodhouse, Michael
• Is Part Of: Progress in photovoltaics. Volume 24:Number 9(2016)
• Page Start: 1272
• Page End: 1283
• Publication Date: 2016-04-20
• Subjects: economics -- LCOE -- photovoltaics; Solar cells -- Periodicals; Photovoltaic cells -- Periodicals; Solar power plants -- Periodicals; 621.31245
• DOI: 10.1002/pip.2755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-7995

Abstract

Abstract: To quantify the potential value of technological advances to the photovoltaics (PV) sector, this paper examines the impact of changes to key PV module and system parameters on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The parameters selected include module manufacturing cost, efficiency, degradation rate, and service lifetime. NREL's System Advisor Model (SAM) is used to calculate the lifecycle cost per kilowatt‐hour (kWh) for residential, commercial, and utility scale PV systems within the contiguous United States, with a focus on utility scale. Different technological pathways are illustrated that may achieve the Department of Energy's SunShot goal of PV electricity that is at grid price parity with conventional electricity sources. In addition, the impacts on the 2015 baseline LCOE due to changes to each parameter are shown. These results may be used to identify research directions with the greatest potential to impact the cost of PV electricity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : In this paper, we provide a framework for the evaluation of technology advances needed for photovoltaics to achieve widespread grid parity with an average solar resource and without subsidies. Our focus is on the levelized‐cost‐of‐energy metric, and the key input parameters that we evaluate include efficiency, reliability and durability, and module and installed total system costs. Several pathways to the US Department of Energy's SunShot levelized‐cost‐of‐energy goals for 2020 and beyond are discussed.