Graph of the Day: Solar grid parity in 102 countries

[kristopher]

By Giles Parkinson on 24 May 2013

Here’s an interesting graph used by Suntech’s Stuart Wenham (sourced from Applied Materials) during a presentation at the Solar 2013 conference in Melbourne on Thursday. It highlights the extent of “grid parity” for solar PV across the world – it is now in 102 countries.

This definition of “grid parity” is the cost of rooftop solar versus the cost of electricity sourced from the grid – this is sometimes known as “socket parity”. Most of the countries – though not all – are those with good solar resources and relatively high electricity pricesAustralia reached “socket parity” several years ago.

Wenham says that solar PV will fall a further 50 per cent in costs up to 2020 – see our story today. He says that solar PV at a utility level will also challenge fossil fuels – as it already does in those with high gas and diesel costs, and will offer the cheapest avenue to countries which have little electricity infrastructure.

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/graph-of-the-day-solar-grid-parity-in-102-countries-39133




Another visual from the comments - its text is worth paying attention to:

[kristopher]

1. "...the data suggested that..."

"Last Solstice the data suggested that by 2020 98% of the world's population, accounting for 99.7% of world GDP and 99.2% of energy related CO2 emissions, would have access to solar power at the same price as residential power. But with the significant decreases in the cost of solar panels there was an explosion in global PV installations over the past year, and the data now suggests we'll reach this same goal by the end of 2012."

I wonder how close to accurate that statement is?