Some people state that
“The costs of PV will never reach competitiveness.”

The fact is

Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is a technology driven Industry. Proven over more than two decades, the price experience curve allowed for continuously falling costs and will do so in future. On the other hand and, for various reasons, conventional energy costs are constantly rising. More and more often, photovoltaic solar energy will therefore be able to compete for various applications.

A decentralized photovoltaic plant on the rooftop generates energy exactly where it is needed. The output of a photovoltaic plant correlates optimally with peak electricity consumption in summer  time in the afternoon, thus prices have to be compared with high peak load prices paid by the end consumer.

Following current market growth, photovoltaic solar electricity will be cost competitive with retail prices in Southern Europe by 2015. Central and Northern Europe will follow 5 to 10 years later. Internalization of external costs will accelerate the price effectiveness of photovoltaic solar electricity furthermore.

PV Solar Electricity is on its
way to compete in the grid with
conventional fuels. In 2030 PV
will cover a considerable part
of electricity demand."

Dr. Winfried Hoffmann
CTO of Applied Materials
President of the European
Photovoltaic Industry Association

Therefore the correct statement is: “PV solar electricity is about to reach competitiveness.”

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