Breakeven Cost for Residential Photovoltaics in the United States: Key Drivers and Sensitivities (Report Summary) (Presentation)

Conference · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/969154· OSTI ID:969603

Denholm, P; Margolis, R M; Ong, S; Roberts, B

"Break-even cost" for photovoltaic (PV) technology is defined as the point where the cost of PV-generated electricity equals the cost of electricity purchased from the grid. Break-even cost is expressed in $/W of an installed system. Achieving break-even cost is a function of many variables. Consequently, break-even costs vary by location and time for a country, such as the United States, with a diverse set of resources, electricity prices, and other variables. In this presentation, we introduce an analysis of PV break-even costs for residential customers in the United States, including an evaluation of some of the key drivers of PV breakeven both regionally and over time. This presentation includes our methodology and presents results for both near-term residential breakeven costs(2009) and future market sensitivities of break-even costs (2015). See also the the report "Break-Even Cost for Residential Photovoltaics in the United States: Key Drivers and Sensitivities". Presentation for NREL/TP-6A2-45991.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99-GO10337
• OSTI ID: 969603
• Report Number(s): NREL/PR-6A2-47248; TRN: US201001%%848
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
BREAKEVEN
ELECTRICITY
EVALUATION
MARKET
PRICES
BREAK-EVEN COST
BREAK-EVEN PRICE
BREAK-EVEN POINT
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR RESOURCE
PHOTOVOLTAICS
PV
PV TECHNOLOGY
PV MARKETS
MARKET VIABILITY
UNITED STATES
U.S. UTILITIES
ELECTRICITY POLICIES
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS
LOCAL ELECTRICITY PRICES
ELECTRICITY COSTS
ELECTRICITY RATES
FINANCING
INCENTIVES
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
TIME-OF-USE RATES
TOU RATES
RATE STRUCTURES
Energy Analysis